This project will investigate the next generation of materials and devices for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) at ultra-high temperatures of up to 2000ºC, which are well beyond today's maximum operation temperatures of ~1000ºC. We will synthetize new phase change materials (PCMs) with latent heat in the range of 2-4 MJ/kg (an order of magnitude greater than that of typical salt-based PCMs); we will develop advance thermal insulation and PCM casing designs, along with novel solid-state heat to power conversion technologies able to operate at temperatures up to 2000ºC. Using these new materials and devices, we aim at realizing the proof of concept of a new kind of extremely compact LHTES device with unprecedented high energy density. The key enabling technologies are: novel PCMs based on the silicon-boron system with ultra-high melting temperature and latent heat, novel refractory lining composites based on carbides, nitrides and oxides for the PCM container walls, advanced thermally insulated PCM casing for ultra-high temperature operation, and novel solid-state heat-to-power converters based on photovoltaic and thermionic effects. In this regard, we will perform the proof of concept of a new kind of hybrid thermionic-photovoltaic converter (TIPV) that has been recently formulated theoretically. TIPV cells combine the ionic and photovoltaic phenomena to convert high temperature heat directly into electricity at very high power rates. The final goal of this project is to demonstrate the proof-of-concept of this idea and kick-starting an emerging research community around this new technological option.

BLAZETEC aims to pioneer ultra-high-temperature thermal batteries, operating from 1200 to 1600 °C, offering groundbreaking and efficient solutions for long-duration energy storage and conversion. It focuses the efforts on two pivotal pilot demonstrations: an electric thermal battery capable of converting surplus electricity into heat and then back into electricity, alongside a solar thermal battery designed to store concentrated sunlight and provide electric power on-demand. Both of these systems integrate cutting-edge solid-state energy converters, including thermionics (TIG), thermoelectrics (TEG), and thermophotovoltaics (TPV). Standard thermal engines cannot support such high operating temperatures, therefore solid-state converters are now essential for effectively integrating efficient thermal batteries in renewable energy sources. BLAZETEC advances standalone TIG, TEG, and TPV technologies by introducing innovations with higher conversion efficiency with respect to the state-of-the-art like vacuum micro-gap TIG, multi-module TEG, and multijunction TPV systems. Through hybridization of these solutions, the project introduces TITEG (TIG-TEG hybrid) and TIPV (TIG-TPV hybrid), with a targeted efficiency of over 30% and a power density higher than 5 W/cm², all backed by more than 500 hours of reliability. The integration of these technologies is facilitated by innovative vacuum encapsulation and the "dispatchable power wall" concept, which enables on-demand power generation by efficiently routing heat through the converters. The project's outcomes result in the development of five advanced energy conversion devices, an inventive system for dispatchable electricity generation, and the successful pilot testing of two kinds of thermal batteries (exploiting latent heat and sensible heat), ultimately achieving TRL 5.

InnovaConcrete is an innovative and ambitious proposal that aims at preserving concrete-based monuments, the most significant tangible Cultural Heritage (CH) in the 20th Century. To achieve this goal, we have recruited an interdisciplinary team presenting a strong scientific background in simulation techniques and nanomaterials synthesis, combined with a wide knowledge of CH conservation from Humanities disciplines and, a sound industrial perspective. Specifically, a completely innovative approach based on producing C-S-H gel, responsible for the engineering properties of cement paste in cracks of decayed concrete monument, in situ, will be developed. Complementary, other innovative solutions giving rise to superhydrophobicity and corrosion inhibition will be also investigated. In addition, InnovaConcrete will explore an approach based on biotechnology: enzyme-assisted self-healing of damaged surfaces. The optimization of the solutions proposed will be carried out by the use of theoretical tools (multi-scale modelling approaches) together with experimental tools (laboratory and in situ validation). Significant 20th century monuments, such as the spectacular building, Centennial Hall, the open-air sculptures of Eduardo Chillida, War Memorial Towers and concrete shell structures, typical construction in communist period will be used as case studies to validate the performance of the solutions proposed. These monuments, a clear representation of European CH, will be employed to study economic and other societal effects of the proposal and to promote citizens' awareness of 20th century European heritage. Finally, the activities required for the future commercialization of the InnovaConcrete products, including standardization, certification, life cycle assessment, scaling up and exploitation strategies will be carried out.

AMBITION: SUNSON proposes a breakthrough in the field of Solar to Heat to Power (S2H2P) generation. The SUNSON prototype will be designed, developed, and validated as a modular, ultra-compact and decentralised solution for dispatchable solar power generation with 10 times less volume than current concentration solar power (CSP) technologies that efficiently store solar energy as heat for electricity conversion on demand. It integrates within a unique solution, novel approaches for solar radiation conversion technology (flux splitting optics for beam-down concentrator), ultra-high temperature thermal energy storage (TES) above 1200ºC and solid-state conversion technology based on thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generators. OUTCOMES: on the one hand, a flagship prototype of the proposed technology (SUNSON-Box) integrating optics for beam down CSP technology, high-temperature latent heat storage and the TPV conversion will be demonstrated at TRL4. And on the other hand, SUNSON entails the development of smart digital tools (SUNSON-Tool) for design, management and replicability purposes based on multidisciplinary optimisation. In addition, it will provide a set of features usable for dissemination, exploitation, and communication actions within and beyond the project. VALUE PROPOSITION: the research is well aligned to the growing European and international interest in the integration of renewable energy sources (RES), solar energy conversion and thermal storage, to scale up and demonstrate novel technologies from research level, advancing within the market uptake roadmap. IMPACT: a revolutionary compact CSP and RES conversion technology to efficiently generate power with a modular approach, increasing its cost-effectiveness and spreading the application fields of conventional CSP (namely, industry, electrolysers and H2 production, building,). SUNSON will boost the EU economy by promoting net-zero emission electrification to put CSP back on track to meet the 2050 target.