TubeICE project deals with the design, industrialization and commercialization of an innovative Phase Change Material (PCM) tubular shaped PTES unit, able to store energy within the range 22-27°C. TubeICE unit is composed by a pipe shell where a Positive Temperature Eutectic solutions is packed: in summer, the storage unit exploits the temperature gradient between night and days, being charged during the night (when temperature is lower) thanks to the solidification of the PCM and discharged during the day by the liquefaction of the material, thus allowing a reduction of air conditioning energy consumption; in winter, TubeICE increases the thermal inertia of the building, being charged through material liquefaction when thermal energy is available. The technology developed and proposed by PCMPro delivers breakthrough properties: • thanks to the development of the innovative PCM and to a compact innovative design, the energy density is 73 kWh/m3, much higher than competing technologies; • installing the storage unit on the ceiling area, 12 tubes can be packed per m2 using standard 50mm pipe brackets, giving a storage of 1.74 kWh/m2; • the application of an eutectic alloy leads to a constant charging and discharging temperature, with benefits in terms of conditioning quality and easiness in storage management; • as already demonstrated by the first pilot installations in a number of offices/shops and in an educational facility located at Coventry in U.K., the integration of TubeICE leads to a global energy consumption reduction within the range 10-40% depending on the location and the building properties, thanks to the maximization of free-cooling (and the consequent reduction of energy intensive mechanical cooling) and to the nighttime free storage. • TubeICE is maintenance free and assures a long durability (10 years and more).

COOPERANT is at the forefront of advancing the next generation of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies by tackling typical limitations of conventional CSP facilities, such as operation at high temperatures, dispatchability, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. COOPERANT's innovations are paving the way for the uninterrupted generation of green solar power that is both dispatchable and economically viable, breaking the dependency on solar radiation. Working at high temperatures (~1000ºC) is crucial to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness; however, harsh operating conditions present significant challenges in terms of material availability, corrosion, system design and performance limitations. In alignment with the SET-Plan for CSP, the proposal incorporates three cutting-edge solutions at technological, digital and transference levels, that synergistically cooperate to address them: -COOPERANT CSP-TES system: a groundbreaking concept showcasing a high-performance volumetric solar receiver with custom-designed cellular morphology coupled with a hybrid packed-bed Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system. Enhanced phase-change materials and solid-state mixtures will be formulated and characterised to serve as high-temperature storage mediums. Heat transfer enhancement and containment techniques will be applied to ensure operation safety and long-lasting durability. -COOPERANT-AI TOOL: including real-time monitoring, reinforced learning-based control, scalability and replicability features. A holistic orchestration by sophisticated artificial intelligence digital tools to assist with feasibility, replicability, and scalability paths towards commercialisation. -COOPERANT-TRANSFER: a knowledge transference programme with a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging closely with the industrial sphere through the Stakeholder Replicability Board (SRB), enlisting key partners focused on dispatchable clean energy, solar fuels generation and industrial applications.