10 April 2025 – Crevillent, Spain
Following the first awareness event held in Padova (Italy), the ECHO consortium hosted its second local engagement session on 10 April 2025, at the headquarters of ENERCOOP in Crevillent, Spain.
The event, organised by ENERCOOP, focused on high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) systems developed within the ECHO project and presented early findings from the Crevillent case study. With around 50 attendees, the session offered an accessible introduction to TES technology and its role in enabling greater use of renewable energy for heating.
Many participants had never heard of high-temperature TES before, but left with a better understanding of its potential—some even envisioned a clear role for it in their local energy systems. Still, questions about cost, space requirements, and integration with existing infrastructure reflected the community’s practical concerns.
A recurring comparison was made with lithium-ion batteries, particularly regarding their rapid price drop in recent years. This prompted questions such as: “When will ECHO be available on the market—and at what €/kWh?”
Ultimately, the event turned curiosity into dialogue: from wondering “Will it fit in a flat?” to asking “Can my co-op host a pilot?”, residents engaged critically with the technology and its future. The session underscored the value of transparent communication and highlighted the need for real-world demonstrations to complement scientific progress.
