YARA: Steam grid balancing in integrated chemical plant unlocks new energy flexibility
Integrating a 4 MWh ThermalBattery™, directly connecting to the steam grid at one of Yara’s international production facilities.
Avery Dennison: Balancing CST production gives sustainability boost to adhesive factory
ORGANIZATION
Avery Dennison & bv Azteq
INDUSTRY
Manufacturing
SECTOR
Packaging Material & CST
LOCATION(S)
Belgium
YEAR(S)
2021
Solar thermal energy supports energy transition in Turnhout
In September 2023, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes in Turnhout, Belgium, commissioned Europe’s largest platform for concentrated solar thermal energy (CST) with a thermal storage unit – and thus freed itself from dependence on natural gas (NG).
ThermalBattery™ reduces emissions and dependence on gas
The renewable energy project contains a Concentrated Solar Thermal platform with 2,240 surface mirrors, with a solar field peak yield of 2.7 GWh thermal power, and six thermal storage modules with a capacity of 5 MWh thermal power. In operation, the total installation can provide heat equivalent to 2.3 GWh of gas consumption, reducing the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 9 percent annually – compared to current rates. During summer months and high-sunshine periods, it will provide up to 100 percent of the factory’s heat demand.
“We have big ambitions to tackle climate change and achieve net zero by 2050. To meet these goals we will look across our industrial processes and identify opportunities to implement new technologies that decarbonize and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The successful commissioning of the project in Turnhout is a big step forward in our sustainability plans,” says Mariana Rodriguez, general manager, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes Europe.
Utilise solar energy day and night with ThermalBattery™
The platform, consisting of a CST field and Thermal Storage unit, covers roughly 5,540 square meters on site. Parabolic mirrors reflect the sunlight and concentrate it on a collector tube filled with liquid, in this case thermal oil. The liquid can be heated to temperatures of 400 C (752 F). In addition, the excess thermal energy from this process is stored in the ThermalBattery™ and released as safe, green heat when needed. In conjunction with the six battery modules, the CST platform can generate and release high-temperature thermal energy on demand day and night.
The high-temperature heat is used to operate some of the drying ovens in production, which are utilised in the coating process for the pressure-sensitive adhesive products manufactured at the site. These products are used in the automotive industry, construction, medical technology and personal care, among others.
Promoting sustainable technologies
The project in Turnhout is a collaboration between Avery Dennison Performance Tapes, bv Azteq, a developer and operator of CST systems, ENERGYNEST, a provider of thermal storage solutions, and other stakeholders, including the local community group Campina Energie.
The ENERGYNEST thermal battery installation received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Azteq’s CST platform is partially funded by the Flemish Government via the call Green Heat. The BoP has been developed in the research project #MODULUS which is partly funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
The Turnhout community has provided considerable support for the CST project. Financing was secured through Campina Energie, which is engaged in green energy projects and represents more than 1,000 Turnhout residents.
Solar thermal–to–steam
Enable optimal utilization of CST plants
The sun has incredible power. Especially south of the 45th latitude, Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) power using parabolic through-systems will be among the cheapest technologies to produce carbon-free industrial process heat. But without storage, customers are left with a cold dark night ahead when the CST plant does not produce anymore, but process heat and steam is needed. Storing solar thermal as steam is the technology of choice to best utilize CST assets, recycling excess energy for steam production – enabling true decarbonization
Application Benefits
Decarbonize heat immediately- Save money easily
- Reduce maintenance effort
- Limit energy market exposure
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