Ventilation for the MGTES sand thermal battery

Case study: Industrial decarbonization through technological innovation

The energy transition in heavy industry requires solutions capable of storing large amounts of energy and releasing it as high-temperature heat. In this revolutionary scenario, Meridiana Aspiratori provided technical support and key components for the construction of MGTES (Magaldi Green Thermal Energy Storage), the fluidized sand bed thermal battery developed by Magaldi Power.

When industrial heat still depends on fossil fuels

Heat accounts for nearly half of global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles require constant heat in the form of steam between 150°C and 600°C (often still produced by burning fossil fuels). Magaldi‘s challenge was to create a modular and sustainable Power-to-Heat system capable of storing renewable energy from wind or photovoltaic sources and releasing it on demand. To operate the heart of this battery (the fluidized silica sand bed), extremely precise and reliable air management was required.

Sand as an energy accumulator and air as the key to the process

The MGTES battery operates by fluidizing silica sand. For the sand to accumulate and release heat uniformly, it must be “lifted” and maintained in a dynamic, liquid-like state through a controlled airflow. We were chosen as the technical partner for the supply of industrial fans, with a project focused on two key aspects.

• The first concerns fluidization efficiency: the ventilation systems have been designed to generate the pressure and flow rate necessary to overcome the resistance of the sand bed, ensuring uniform thermal distribution.
• The second aspect is continuous operational reliability as the battery operates in cycles that repeat without interruption, and the fans have been selected to ensure maximum durability and minimal maintenance.

The moment when fans make the difference

Fans play a crucial role in the battery charging phase. During this phase, electricity from renewable sources or the grid is converted into heat through electrical resistors. Our fans work to fluidize the sand, moving each individual particle and ensuring that the heat is evenly distributed throughout the mass.

Once charging is complete, fluidization is deliberately interrupted. The sand settles and compacts at the bottom of the module, and thanks to the absence of convective motion and thermal insulation, heat loss is minimal. Energy can thus be stored for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks. In the subsequent discharge phase, the accumulated heat is released in the form of superheated steam (ready to directly power industrial processes) without any significant intervention from fans.

An Italian technology to drive global decarbonization

During the “Heat the Change” event in Buccino (SA), the potential of this technology was presented to key institutions and industry leaders such as Enel. The system guarantees complete sustainability thanks to the use of eco-friendly materials such as sand and steel, ensuring high energy efficiency by storing heat for periods ranging from hours to days with minimal losses. This excellent partnership between Magaldi and Meridiana Aspiratori demonstrates how the expertise of the Italian supply chain can successfully drive the industrial energy transition on a global scale.

Providing our technical contribution to such an ambitious project is a source of pride and responsibility. We are proud to have been chosen as the benchmark for a key technology, ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges. The transition to a truly sustainable industry depends on working with the best.