🔋 Is repowering with thermal energy storage a technology option to include in Germany’s toolbox to drive decarbonisation?  

The Repower Initiative promotes the reuse of existing coal plant infrastructure with clean energy technology solutions. Thermal energy storage (TES) is emerging as a mature technology, with several commissioned projects across the globe — offering a solution for affordable clean energy storage.  

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We investigated the role of TES in repowering decommissioned coal power plants in Germany. At a mere 1% system cost increase, the power system benefits were clear:  

💶 Electricity prices: ↓ 2% (from 80 to 78 EUR/MWh)  

🌍 Emissions: ↓ 3% (from 125 to 121 gCO₂/kWh)  

📉 Price volatility: ↓ 3% negative prices, ↓ 10% prices above 200 EUR/MWh  

🛢️ Import dependence: ↓ 3% in natural gas use (from 243 to 237 TWh)  

🌬️ VRE integration: ↑ 3% in wind + solar generation (from 486 to 501 TWh)  

This collaboration between Quantified Carbon and the Repower Initiative marks the first time we employed the full suite of both teams’ in-house tools:  

• Opti – Site / sector / technology optimisation  

• cGrid – Electricity market model  

• RepowerScore – Ranking suitability of each of the world’s coal power plants to repower

Combined with additional system benefits — such as providing high-temperature steam, process and district heat, inertia/stability services, and black-start capabilities — the picture becomes even clearer.  

So, to the question in the headline: Yes!  

Repowering with thermal energy storage is a technology option to include in Germany’s toolbox to drive decarbonisation.  

Feeling curious to study the more detailed results? Send us an email to news@repower.world we’ll share the full slide deck. This modelling endeavour only explores the tip of the iceberg of the potential use-cases for thermal energy storage for power producers and industry.

We know how TES can fit into your processes, reach out if you want to discuss, and we're happy to explore it further.

Big thanks to Future Cleantech Architects for the opportunity to work on this!