Europe Investigates Molten Salt Storage Alternatives
The SALTOpower project aims to reduce reliance on lithium-ion batteries by developing scalable thermal storage systems.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Energy
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ENEA is participating in the European SALTOpower project to advance molten salt thermal storage as a sustainable alternative to current battery technology. The research addresses rising energy storage demands by leveraging materials readily available within Europe.
Why it matters
The project seeks to bolster European industrial autonomy by decreasing dependence on Chinese-controlled lithium-ion battery supply chains. This shift is designed to support the increasing need for storage driven by intermittent renewable energy sources.
European storage requirements are projected to reach 200 to 400 GWh by 2030 and climb to the order of TWh by 2050. The technology utilizes molten salts, which offer high thermal capacity and low vapor pressure for stable energy storage.
The players
ENEA
This is an Italian public research agency that operates primarily in the fields of energy, environment, and new technologies.
SALTOpower
This is a European research project focused on developing advanced molten salt thermal energy storage systems for industrial and power applications.
The details
The SALTOpower initiative integrates molten salt systems into multifunctional hubs that combine electrical, thermal, and chemical energy carriers. These modular systems are designed to be scalable for isolated locations by simply expanding the volume of the salt tanks.
Timeline
By 2030, energy storage capacity requirements in Europe are estimated to reach 200 to 400 GWh.
By 2050, demand for energy storage is projected to reach the order of TWh.
The Big Picture
The development of molten salt systems signals a potential paradigm shift away from traditional chemical batteries toward thermal energy storage. This move directly addresses the limitation of current lithium-ion models and aligns with broader efforts to secure European energy independence.
Increased adoption of molten salt storage could lead to more resilient power grids that better handle fluctuating renewable energy inputs. These systems may eventually provide a more sustainable, locally sourced alternative for large-scale energy storage requirements.
The takeaway
Molten salt storage offers a promising, scalable solution that utilizes abundant materials like steel and nitrates. This transition may eventually lower the barrier for integrating renewable energy into regional power networks across the continent.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Energy storage technologies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Media ENEA.
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