Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage Market: A Report on Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

The Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage (MSTES) market is undergoing significant expansion, driven by global commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This technology is a critical enabler for achieving a sustainable energy future, particularly by enhancing the reliability and dispatchability of renewable power sources. The market’s growth reflects a global shift towards decarbonization and resilient energy systems, directly supporting international climate and development objectives. The global market size is projected to grow from USD 2.22 billion in 2025 to USD 4.27 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The MSTES market is intrinsically linked to the advancement of several key SDGs:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): MSTES is fundamental to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. By storing solar thermal energy, it allows for electricity generation even when the sun is not shining, making clean energy a more reliable and affordable 24/7 power source.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The market fosters innovation in energy storage technology and promotes the development of resilient, sustainable infrastructure. Investments in R&D for advanced molten salt mixtures and efficient tank designs are central to this goal.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By stabilizing power grids and enabling the integration of large-scale renewables, MSTES contributes to building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy systems for urban centers.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): As a long-duration energy storage solution, MSTES is pivotal in the fight against climate change. It facilitates the displacement of fossil fuel-based power plants, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Growth in the market is accelerated by strategic partnerships between technology providers, utility companies, and governments, fostering global cooperation to achieve clean energy targets.

Market Analysis and Key Developments

Market Growth Drivers

The market’s expansion is propelled by factors aligned with global sustainability targets:

1. Renewable Infrastructure Investment: Government mandates and incentives aligned with SDG 7 and SDG 13 are accelerating investments in renewable projects, particularly Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), which heavily relies on MSTES.
2. Technological Advancement: Continuous innovation, a core tenet of SDG 9, is leading to molten salt mixtures with higher thermal stability and lower degradation rates, improving efficiency and economic viability.
3. Global Energy Transition: The worldwide push to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, driven by climate commitments under SDG 13, creates significant opportunities for scalable, long-duration storage solutions like MSTES.
4. System Integration and Efficiency: Integrating MSTES with hybrid renewable systems enhances overall grid efficiency and reduces operational costs, contributing to the responsible production patterns outlined in SDG 12.

Industry Trends

• Hybridization: A growing trend involves combining MSTES with battery storage systems to enhance grid flexibility and operational efficiency, advancing the goals of SDG 7 and SDG 9.
• Advanced Tank Designs: The adoption of thermocline tanks is increasing, as they optimize storage volume and reduce material costs, making clean energy infrastructure more cost-effective.
• Modular Systems: Modularization of MSTES units allows for scalable and flexible deployment, facilitating easier integration with existing power infrastructure and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
• Policy and Regulation: The implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standards and carbon pricing mechanisms creates strong market drivers, pushing MSTES into mainstream adoption in line with SDG 13.

Market Segmentation

By Storage Type:

• Single Tank
• Dual Tank (Leading Segment)
• Thermocline Tank
• Others

By Application:

• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) (Dominating Segment)
• Industrial Process Heat
• Grid Energy Storage
• Others

By End-User Industry:

• Utilities
• Manufacturing
• Chemical Processing
• Others

Regional Analysis in the Context of SDGs

Regional Outlook

1. North America: Focus on grid modernization and renewable integration to meet climate targets.
2. Europe: Strong regulatory support and innovation funding drive the adoption of advanced MSTES technologies to achieve the European Green Deal objectives.
3. Asia Pacific: Rapid industrialization and significant investments in renewable energy to support economic growth and combat air pollution make this a key growth region for SDG 7.
4. Middle East & Africa: Capitalizing on high solar irradiance to build large-scale CSP plants with integrated storage, aligning national energy transition goals with SDG 13.
5. Latin America: Increasing deployment through strategic partnerships to enhance energy security and increase the share of renewables in the energy mix.

Competitive Landscape and Strategic Partnerships

Key Market Players

The market is characterized by established players and innovators focused on advancing clean energy technology in line with SDG 9 and SDG 17. Key entities include:

• Acciona S.A.
• Abengoa SA
• BrightSource Energy, Inc.
• SENER Grupo de Ingenieria, S.A.
• SolarReserve, LLC
• Engie SA
• Yara International ASA
• Kyoto Group
• Malta Group
• Brenmiller

Strategic collaborations, such as Acciona S.A.’s partnerships with utilities in Latin America, exemplify the cross-sector cooperation required by SDG 17 to deploy clean technology and improve energy dispatch efficiency.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The article on the Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage (MSTS) market highlights technologies and market trends that directly and indirectly address several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus is on energy, innovation, and climate action.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire discussion revolves around MSTS as a “critical enabler for large-scale renewable energy integration,” specifically with Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). The technology aims to provide “sustainable and dispatchable power solutions,” which is central to ensuring access to clean and reliable energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article details significant “advances in thermal storage technology” and “increasing R&D spend.” It discusses the construction of “new solar thermal projects” and “investments in renewable infrastructure.” This focus on technological innovation, industrial growth (market size expansion), and building resilient infrastructure aligns directly with SDG 9.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly states that the industry’s growth is driven by global “decarbonization efforts” and the “push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.” MSTS technology supports the stability and reliability of renewable energy sources, which is a crucial strategy for mitigating climate change. The mention of “carbon pricing” and “energy transition mandates” as market drivers further connects the topic to climate action policies.

Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article supports this target by describing MSTS as a key technology for “large-scale renewable energy integration” and its primary application in “Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants.” The growth of the MSTS market is directly linked to the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.

2. Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   The text highlights efforts in “enhancing energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.” It provides a concrete example where a collaboration resulted in a “15% improvement in energy dispatch efficiency,” demonstrating a direct contribution to this target.

3. Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

   This target is reflected in the mention of a “12% rise” in “export volumes… from European countries exporting to emerging markets.” Furthermore, the article notes that “strategic partnerships and technology licensing agreements” are key strategies for players to “expand market access.”

4. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

   The entire article is about the adoption of a clean technology (MSTS). The “ongoing investments in renewable infrastructure, particularly CSP projects” and the development of more efficient systems like “thermocline tanks” that “reduce material costs” are direct examples of upgrading infrastructure to be more sustainable.

5. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… and encourage innovation.

   The article points to “increasing R&D spend focused on molten salt mixtures with higher thermal stability” and “technological advancements producing molten salt mixtures with higher thermal capacities.” This demonstrates a clear focus on research and innovation to improve technological capabilities.

6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article identifies “policy-driven trends such as renewable portfolio standards and carbon pricing” as “strong market drivers.” This shows how climate-related policies are directly influencing technological adoption and market growth, fulfilling the essence of this target.

Implied or Mentioned Indicators

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Market Growth and Investment:

  The projected market growth from “USD 2.22 billion in 2025 to USD 4.27 billion by 2032” at a “CAGR of 9.8%” serves as a primary indicator of investment in and adoption of clean energy technology (Targets 7.2, 7.a, 9.4).

• Production and Capacity:

  The “increase by approximately 18% in 2024” of “production capacity for molten salt storage systems” is a direct measure of the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure (Target 7.2).

• Energy Efficiency Gains:

  The specific metric of a “15% improvement in energy dispatch efficiency” and “capacity utilization rates averaging above 85%” are clear indicators of progress towards Target 7.3.

• Cost Reduction:

  The “steady 4-6% year-over-year cost reduction in molten salt-based thermal storage components” is an indicator of technological maturation and increased affordability, which is crucial for widespread adoption (Target 9.4).

• International Trade and Cooperation:

  The “12% rise in 2024” in “export volumes” is a measurable indicator of international cooperation and technology transfer (Target 7.a).

• Research and Development Activity:

  The mention of “increasing R&D spend” is a direct, albeit non-quantified, indicator for measuring innovation efforts (Target 9.5).

• Policy Implementation:

  The existence of “government incentives, energy transition mandates, renewable portfolio standards and carbon pricing” are qualitative indicators that climate action policies are being implemented and are driving the market (Target 13.2).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: openpr.com