Extremadura to Repurpose Abandoned Silos as Batteries

Why this is here: The THESILO project plans to utilize over 1,050 abandoned silos in the EUROACE region—spanning parts of Spain, Portugal, and Italy—to potentially create a widespread thermal energy storage network.

In Extremadura, Spain, a project called THESILO will convert abandoned grain silos into energy storage facilities. The initiative, presented in Torremocha, aims to address energy surpluses from renewable sources—roughly 10,000 MW of new renewable power installed in Spain last year—by storing excess electricity as heat within the silo structures. This approach draws inspiration from a successful “power to heat” system in Finland that uses sand as a storage medium.

The project will investigate using low-cost, recycled materials like demolition waste to store heat, then distribute it to local industries, public buildings, and homes. Funded with over 1.5 million euros from the European Interreg POCTEP program, THESILO involves a consortium of Spanish and Portuguese research centers.

Currently, over 1,050 abandoned silos stand across the EUROACE region, offering potential for a thermal battery network. Researchers must still evaluate how silo structures withstand high temperatures and confirm the economic viability of this method against alternatives like pumped hydro storage. The work continues to assess long-term efficiency and scalability.