The commercial agreement will help work towards decarbonising industrial manufacturing
Thermal storage provider Energynest has entered into a commercial agreement with thin-film technology firm Leonhard Kurz to create a new power-to-heat system with thermal storage, aiding decarbonisation efforts in industrial manufacturing.
Producing high-tech decorations requires process heat at high temperatures, which has normally been supplied by natural gas boilers. Kurz’s Sulzbach-Rosenberg facility consumes over 4GWhth of process heat annually, making it a good option for electrification in an effort to reduce emissions.
Power-to-heat technology takes renewable electricity, from sources such as solar, wind, or off-peak grid power, and changes it into high-temperature heat. When used with advanced thermal storage, it creates a reliable, flexible, and carbon-free energy source for industrial processing. This is important for manufacturers in their mission to reduce dependence on fossil fuels without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Alex Robertson, Energynest CEO, said: “Electrification of industrial heat is essential for decarbonising global manufacturing and supply chains. By partnering with Leonhard Kurz, Energynest is showcasing a scalable and effective decarbonisation strategy that can be replicated worldwide. This agreement is a proof point that industrial energy transition is not just a necessity; it’s happening now.”
Kurz is integrating Energynest’s turnkey power-to-heat solution to help in its sustainability objectives. Energynest’s turnkey solution features a three MWe electrical heater and a 12MWhth ThermalBattery which will integrate into the existing thermal oil infrastructure, creating a stable, on-demand heat.
Excess solar energy can be used at its on-site PV field, with the entire system delivering over 3GWhth of clean heat annually. This matches 70% of heat demand for one of the sites production lines. Over 40% of the heat demand will be met directly from heat storage, leading to improved efficiency and reliability. This cuts over 700 tons of carbon emissions per year.
Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder, CEO of Leonhard Kurz, said: “Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA, guiding every aspect of our operations and innovation. By integrating ENERGYNEST’s power-to-heat system with thermal storage, we are significantly reducing emissions and taking another major step toward our goal of a fully sustainable production lifecycle and CO₂ neutrality. This project reinforces our commitment of being a ‘Green Leader’ in the industry.”
The agreement becomes Eneregynest’s first sale of a complete turnkey power-to-heat solution, showcasing scalability of the thermal storage technology in industrial applications. Cross-border use of the system is demonstrated with Kurz’s application, showing how it can help decarbonise on a global scale.
EU-wide decarbonisation initiatives such as ‘Fit for 55’ and the European Green Deal are incentivising companies to move towards renewable energy sources and practices.
Operating in over 50 countries with 5,800 employees, Leonhard Kurz supplies advanced surface decoration solutions for a variety of industries, such as automotive parts, smartphones, laptops, furniture, packaging, books, textiles, labels, and bank cards. Applications also extend to counterfeiting prevention.
Leon Kurz has set its sights on being carbon-neutral by 2040, and already sources its electricity from 100% renewable sources in Germany. This is part of the company's wider commitment to sustainability.
Ralph Hopfensitz, executive senior vice president global technology at Leonhard Kurz, added: “The shift to electrified, renewable-based industrial heat is a game changer for manufacturing. By leveraging Energynest’s advanced thermal storage technology, we ensure a stable, on-demand heat supply that reduces our dependence on fossil fuels while increasing energy efficiency. This is a pivotal innovation that strengthens our long-term energy strategy and accelerates our transition towards CO₂-neutral production.”
