Aalborg CSP has received the order to supply its header-coil heat exchanger for steam generation and molten salt circulation system for the Kyoto Group project for a thermal energy storage to be established at Aalborg Forsyning’s green test center at Nordjyllandsværket. Electricity from e.g. wind turbines will be stored in a modular storage solution after which the energy, on demand, is converted back to steam, to be used for green district heating and potentially for green power production for the residents of Aalborg city.

The PTXSALT plant in Aalborg will be the first of its kind in Northern Europe, however, the molten salt technology has been utilized within the CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) industry for plants in Spain, the Middle East, and the US for decades. Experience from existing molten salt storage and header-coil equipment has proven the technology to be scalable, more economical, and bankable compared to other large scale energy storage technologies commercialized to date.

The Aalborg CSP scope of the project consists of supplying the heat exchanger of the header-coil type for steam generation, as well as design of the integrated molten salt and steam system connected on one side to the molten salt storage tanks and on the other side to the header-coil steam generator. In doing so, Aalborg CSP will be working closely together with Kyoto Group on their entire HeatCube system aiming at storing excess renewable electricity in a thermal battery with molten salt (PTXSALT), and generating steam when energy is needed in terms of district heating for the city.

A bankable PTX technology for green conversion of coal-fired power plants.

Rather than demolishing all coal-fired power plants in both Europe and globally over the next decades, Aalborg CSP expect a trend for the coming years with conversions of existing coal fired plants into being profitable producers of green and sustainable energy streams such as electricity and heat as products. Several international reports and studies show the need for large scale storages to balance the increased renewable energy share of the energy mix. Here, energy storage with PTXSALT, such as the HeatCube, which is utilizing the sustainable mass of molten salt as storage medium of high temperature energy in the range of up to 525º C is ideal. This can, on demand, enable green power supply which can be used for power production for daily and weekly load shifting in the electricity grid as well as for constant power supply for the well-known PTX technologies such as hydrogen and methanol production.

“Aalborg CSP was the natural choice for us when looking for a partner for the project at Nordjyllandsværket. Their significant experience with thermal engineering and the ability to deliver a heat exchanger system for steam solutions tailored for the HeatCube has already impressed us at Kyoto Group. We look forward to our further collaboration on this project” – says CEO Christopher Kjølner from Kyoto Group.

The header-coil heat exchanger system from Aalborg CSP together with the HeatCube PTXSALT plant can be considered a green base-load plant and reuse parts of the existing infrastructure such as the steam turbine and thereby form the basis of future conversions of existing Coal Fired Power Plants.

Modular storage tank solution.

Aalborg CSP’s customer, Kyoto Group, is the project developer and owner of the PTXSALT thermal energy battery plant, which is their first commercial project using the modular HeatCube technology. The HeatCube technology is a scalable PTXSALT storage solution, which can support the transition towards a green and sustainable energy sector – both for industrial size plants and for utility scale projects.

The project has been created as a close cooperation between Aalborg CSP and Kyoto Group to develop a system combining the header-coil heat exchangers with the HeatCube technology in order to create a reliable solution for the client, Aalborg Forsyning.

“We are delighted to work with Kyoto Group on this project. Their visionary push for heat and power-as-a-service is going to be a fundamental part of the future energy grid structure – and they have set up the commercial and technical partners to deliver a first-class reliable product, which will be both an important first PTXSALT project, as well as a benchmark for future projects.” – Svante Bundgaard, CEO at Aalborg CSP states.

Header-coil technology is a fundamental building block for reliable long-term thermal storage.

The Aalborg CSP header-coil heat exchanger technology is designed to withstand high pressure, high duty, and transient operation. Moreover, the technology meets the large requirements for thermal performance as well as the requirement for a fast ramp-up when needed. Finally, the technology is the only existing heat exchanger type with high long-term reliability and efficiency under cyclical load conditions, which is a critical point of focus for the PTXSALT plant.

“We are building what will be typical base-load capacity in this project. Failure on reliability is not an option in this application, where we want to build large-scale long-term duration energy storages” – Svante Bundgaard comments.

Decade long experience with high temperature storage technology and molten salt systems.

Aalborg CSP has delivered heat exchangers all over the world for more than a decade and holds a proven track record of more than 10 years leakage-free operation in different operating conditions resulting in higher availability and profitability. In terms of molten salt heat exchangers and steam system the track record is likewise long; however, all projects have until now been delivered to destinations outside of the Danish borders. With a project within the borders of their home country, Aalborg CSP hope to demonstrate that the technology is the most competitive solution with a mature technology readiness level.

“We are putting together experience from complex system with salt and integrated systems to create a solution for Kyoto Group and Aalborg Forsyning for stable PTX with molten salt. A reliable, scalable, and bankable solution ready for sector coupling now, if people would see what is actually possible with today’s technologies.” EVP and CTO at Aalborg CSP, Peter Badstue Jensen states.

Aalborg CSP A/S is a leading developer and supplier of innovative, renewable technologies with the vision Changing Energy aiming at changing the way energy is produced and stored today. We design and supply green solutions and integrated energy systems based on solar power, energy storage within power-to-X (PTXHEAT and PTXSALT), heat exchange and much more for industries and power plants worldwide.

Since 1988, Aalborg CSP has utilized its immense expertise within design and delivery of boilers, complex systems, renewable energy technologies and energy storage. Thereby, we have a deep understanding of individual energy needs, technology- and system integration as well as optimization with key competences such as performance modelling and system design.

Aalborg CSP A/S places strong focus on R&D activities and works both internally within the company and externally with Danish and international knowledge-based companies and institutions in continuously creating innovative and sustainable technologies.

Aalborg CSP offers a wide variety of renewable energy solutions including high- and low temperature energy storage, solar panels, heat pumps, boilers, integrated energy systems as well as customized Power-to-X solutions. We match individual energy needs with the right systems and technologies and integrates and combines solutions to achieve synergies between both sectors and technologies. We do so in order to create optimum value for our clients, while also optimizing the utilization of the world’s energy sources aiming for a CO2 neutral future.

Headquartered in Aalborg (Denmark) and with a sales & service office in Spain, Aalborg CSP A/S has realized cost-effective green energy solutions worldwide.