HYBRIDplus was presented at the 5th International Conference on Energy, Environment and Storage of Energy (ICEESEN 2026), held online on 24 and 25 August 2026. The presentation introduced the project’s approach to electrified thermal energy storage and highlighted how its innovative concept can support the integration of renewable energy into next-generation concentrated solar power systems.
Presenting the HYBRIDplus concept
During the online conference, the HYBRIDplus team presented an overview of the project and its main technological approach. The presentation introduced the concept of a PV+CSP plant with an electrified thermal energy storage system, based on a cascade configuration of Phase Change Materials and coupled with a high-temperature supercritical CO₂ power cycle.
The project aims to develop a thermal storage solution that can provide greater flexibility and dispatchability while enabling a higher integration of variable renewable energy sources. Its electrified storage concept allows excess renewable electricity to be converted into stored thermal energy that can be dispatched when needed.
Introducing induction-assisted electrification
A key part of the presentation focused on the induction electrification concept being explored within HYBRIDplus. This approach contributes to the project’s broader objective of developing an electrified thermal energy storage system capable of supporting flexible renewable energy integration.
The HYBRIDplus storage concept combines Phase Change Materials (PCM), metal wool and electrical heating in a cascade configuration. This enables the system to store both latent and sensible heat while supporting the hybridisation of CSP with renewable electricity.
Connecting HYBRIDplus with the energy research community
ICEESEN provides a relevant setting for presenting this work, with its programme covering areas including solar thermal applications, energy storage and systems, energy management, heat and mass transfer, materials for energy and environmental technologies.
By presenting HYBRIDplus at the conference, the project was able to share its technological approach with an audience working across energy, environment and storage research. The presentation also contributed to the wider exchange of knowledge around technologies that can support the transition towards more flexible and renewable energy systems.
Continuing the development of flexible thermal energy storage
The ICEESEN presentation forms part of HYBRIDplus’s ongoing work to develop and validate its innovative thermal energy storage concept. The project is progressing towards the demonstration of its technology through a pilot plant designed to validate electrified thermal energy storage solutions and the cascade PCM configuration under representative operating conditions.
As HYBRIDplus continues its research, the combination of thermal energy storage, electrification, renewable energy integration and advanced CSP technologies remains central to its ambition of developing more flexible and efficient renewable power generation systems.