The StoreMoreWarm project addresses energy security and efficiency challenges in the Danube macro-region countries (Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Romania). This region is rich in underutilized or neglected infrastructure, relies heavily on fossil fuels, and experiences intermittent yields from renewable energy sources. Energy management and sustainability are among the primary obstacles facing the Danube region.

The project aims to tackle the issue of long-term thermal energy storage using technologies for Thermal Energy Storage (TES), specifically by employing cutting-edge technologies such as Phase Change Materials (PCM). Electricity generated from renewable sources (solar and wind) during the summer months needs to be converted into thermal energy for storage in TES systems, allowing it to be utilized when required. This approach will help avoid reliance on fossil fuels in winter when solar and wind energy production is at its lowest. The underutilized infrastructure can be repurposed to support TES systems, leading to reduced energy costs for the region.

StoreMoreWarm is a so-called “short project” lasting 12 months, intended to lay the groundwork for writing a main project proposal for the Interreg Danube program. Through analyses of new technologies, installations, and implementations of such systems, the project will provide a solid foundation for applying for a more complex and impactful project. Additionally, activities will include research into potential funding sources for the future main project and defining the consortium.

The StoreMoreWarm project is part of The Interreg Danube Region Programme (DRP), which aims to reduce barriers between countries in the fragmented Danube macro-region due to various political, socio-economic, and administrative challenges.