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On the new, low carbon electric grid, a new class of flexible, cost-effective technologies capable of storing electricity over long durations is needed to ensure clean energy is always available, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
Malta’s innovative thermo-electric energy storage system represents a flexible, low-cost, and expandable utility-scale solution for storing energy over long durations at high efficiency. The system is comprised of conventional components and abundant raw materials – steel, air, salt, and commodity liquids.
The technology capitalizes on existing manufacturing and construction ecosystems in the Power and Oil & Gas industries, compressing COD timelines, reducing risk and keeping costs low. Malta’s utility scale and inertial component make it uniquely suited for power companies with a focus on resiliency ready to move to long duration today.
When coupled with renewables, Malta’s thermo-electric energy storage system enables the delivery of 24/7 green energy.
Advantages of Malta Long Duration Energy Storage
Safe
Stores energy from any power generation source
Cost-Effective
Integrating Malta's system into existing thermal plants provides energy storage functionality with minimal capital expenditure
Scalable
Easily and effectively scale duration as storage needs to grow
Long Duration
Store energy from eight hours to eight days, or longer
Durable
Charge thousands of times with no performance decrement and 20+ year product lifetime
Siteable
Easily permittable across variable geographies
How does the Malta System work?
Malta's electro-thermal energy storage system is built upon well-established principles in thermodynamics.
When charging (taking electricity from the grid) the system converts electricity to heat, in molten salt, and as cold in a chilled liquid. In these forms, this energy can be efficiently stored for long durations.
When discharging (injecting electricity into the grid) the system operates as a heat engine, combining the stored heat and cold together to generate electricity. Because a heat engine is driven by a change in temperature (T) the extraction of cold as well as heat makes the Malta system more efficient than other technologies.
Energy is gathered from wind, solar, or fossil generators on the grid as electrical energy and sent to Malta’s energy storage system.
The electricity drives a heat pump, which converts electrical energy into thermal energy by creating a temperature difference.
The heat is then stored in molten salt, while the cold is stored in a chilled liquid.
The temperature difference is converted back to electrical energy with a heat engine.
Electricity is sent back to the grid when it is needed. Clean, co-generated steam is used for district heating or industrial use.
Materials Used in a Malta Thermo-Electric Energy Storage System
Malta's electro-thermal energy storage system is composed using components with a long and proven record in the field.
Molten Salt
Molten salt is the most mature technology used in thermal storage. The nitrate salts used by Malta hold heat well and are stable, nonflammable, nonexplosive, and nontoxic, making them a sensible thermal energy storage medium.
Chilled Liquid
Malta uses commodity antifreeze to store liquid at below-freezing temperatures. Antifreeze solutions are commonly used as heat transfer fluids, making them some of the best-understood liquids in the energy sector.
Recyclable
All materials and components used in Malta’s system are fully recyclable and can be reclaimed after use.
Metals, Alloys and Composites
Common metals and alloys, like steel and aluminum, make up the bulk of the piping, turbines, and other mechanical equipment used in a Malta energy storage system.
