Modelling Solar Thermal Heat and Thermal Storage in the Spanish Industrial Sector using TIMES-Sinergia Model: Preliminary results

Abstract In the framework of the European Union’s ambitious decarbonization targets for 2050, renewable energies play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable energy system. However, their integration faces significant challenges, particularly in hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as industry. Solar thermal energy combined with thermal energy storage (TES) offers flexible and renewable heat for industrial processes requiring medium-temperature heat (200-500°C). This study evaluates the potential of concentrated solar thermal energy and increased TES capacity to decarbonise industry using the TIMES-Sinergia energy system model and real data from Solatom. The preliminary results show solar field production and TES charging/discharging patterns over hourly time slices for representative days in each season. The model reveals how storage operation closely follows solar field production and aligns with heat demand across time slices. Relevant deployment occurs mainly in food, beverages, tobacco and construction sectors, while pharmaceutical and textile sectors show limited deployment due to competition from biomass boilers. Solar field production increases until 2050, with faster growth in TES deployment. Comparison with Solatom’s real production profiles reveals operational differences that influence system pricing and optimization strategies.