Acideka Pioneers Full Decarbonisation of Industrial Heat Using Renewable Energy and Thermal Storage
Acideka, a centuries-old family-owned chemical company from the Basque Country, has today inaugurated a pioneering project at its Lantarón plant in Álava that marks a significant step forward in industrial decarbonisation. The project makes Acideka the first chemical facility to fully electrify its industrial heat production using renewable energy sources. The inauguration ceremony was attended by key public figures, including Sara Aagesen, the Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Ramiro González, the General Deputy of Álava, Jose Luis Salvidea, the Mayor of Lantarón, and Mikel Jauregi, the Regional Minister for Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability of the Basque Government.
The initiative replaces two traditional diesel-fired boilers with an innovative solution that combines renewable energy generation and thermal storage capacity. This enables the plant to produce the necessary steam for its industrial processes without relying on fossil fuels. As a result, Acideka completely eliminates its direct emissions (Scope 1) associated with heat generation and prevents the emission of up to 1310 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Central to this solution is the ThermalBox, developed by Build to Zero, a technology specialising in thermal storage systems that convert renewable electricity into process heat. The system boasts a capacity of 2.25 MW of electrical power, 2.5 MW of thermal power, and 14 MWh of energy stored in molten salts. It can reach temperatures near 400 C, efficiently covering around 97% of the plants thermal demand.
The energy powering this system largely comes from a 2.13 MWp photovoltaic solar farm installed on-site, implemented by NetOn Power and one of the first of its kind in the Basque Country. Approximately 85% of the ThermalBoxs annual electricity consumption (3972 MWh) is supplied by solar power, with the remaining 15% (701 MWh) drawn from the grid. On days with favourable conditions, such as today, the entire processed energy demand is met through solar energy alone.
Public support has been vital to this projects realisation. The thermal storage system received funding under the Thermal Storage PERTE, with a grant of 1,007,023 euros, while the photovoltaic plant was financed by the Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving (IDAE), receiving 192,289.20 euros.
Leire Azanza, Executive President of Acideka, highlighted that the project proves that the chemical industry can lead in decarbonisation without sacrificing competitiveness. As a family firm, they adopt a long-term perspective, stating that investing in electrification and renewable energy today safeguards the companys viability and the local environment for the future.
The partners involved in the technological development emphasise the replicability of this solution. Build to Zero notes that ThermalBox turns a traditionally difficult challenge, decarbonising industrial heat, into an operational and financially viable reality. Meanwhile, NetOn Power stresses that a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows industries to access clean energy at stable prices without initial investment, bypassing grid limitations and accelerating their transition to sustainability.