Integration &
applications
Connecting PTES with renewable heat systems
ENERVIA™ solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into complex energy networks. A Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) can be connected to many heat sources including solar thermal plants, large heat pumps, combined heat and power plants, power to heat (wind curtailment), energy from waste plants, or industrial heat recovery systems among others. This flexibility makes PTES a vital component of future oriented, renewable heating systems — capable of balancing fluctuating energy generation and steady heat demand throughout the year.
District heating networks
PTES can be combined with various renewable energy sources for the decarbonization of future heating networks. The storage acts as a thermal battery, integrating renewable heat sources even when the sun is not shining.
In combination with solar thermal plants, it stores solar heat, making that heat available in winter.
In regions with limited solar radiation, PTES can integrate with biomass or geothermal systems to ensure a stable and continuous renewable heat supply.
When used with large heat pumps, PTES can be integrated for both charging and discharging operations. Charging can take place during periods of low or surplus electricity supply, improving overall system efficiency and operational flexibility. Discharging via the heat pump allows the stored thermal energy to be utilized more effectively and increases the usable capacity of the PTES.
ENERVIA supports network operators with tailored designs and materials optimized for each storage site, ensuring reliable performance and long service life.
Industrial heat recovery
Many industrial processes release significant amounts of waste heat that would otherwise remain unused. With PTES, this excess energy can be stored and reused for internal heating, drying or process water — turning waste into a valuable resource.
ENERVIA enables industries to increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and significantly cut CO₂ emissions, contributing to corporate sustainability goals.
Solmax already applies industrial heat recovery in practice. The The Efficient Pit research project PTES at our Rechlin manufacturing site and the Meldorf PTES case study showcases how industrial waste heat can be efficiently stored and reused at scale.
Thinking ahead:
Unlocking data center heat for future energy systems
The rapid growth of data centers is creating a new and largely untapped energy opportunity. Every digital service - from cloud computing to streaming - produces continuous low-grade heat. Today, most of this heat is dissipated unused into the atmosphere.
Looking ahead, Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) offers a pathway to transform data center waste heat into a valuable resource. By capturing excess heat via heat exchangers and storing it in a PTES system, digital waste heat could be buffered on a daily or weekly basis - or even stored seasonally - and made available when and where it is needed.
This approach opens the door to reusing data center heat for district heating networks or nearby industrial applications, helping to bridge the gap between constant digital heat generation and fluctuating thermal demand.
Potential impact
Continuous recovery of heat from 24/7 data center operations
Flexible buffering and seasonal storage to align supply with demand
Reduced reliance on fossil-based heat sources and lower CO2 emissions
A systemic link between digital infrastructure growth and the energy transition
A flexible foundation for the energy transition
Whether used for a single community, a growing industrial site, or an entire district network, ENERVIA PTES solutions are scalable, adaptable, and designed for long term operation. By connecting renewable energy sources with demand-driven heat supply, PTES creates the missing link for a resilient, carbon neutral heating future.
