Kyoto Group inaugurated its second European Heatcube, the world’s largest industrial thermal energy storage system, at KALL Ingredients corn processing facility in Tiszapüspöki, Hungary, marking a major step in industrial decarbonization.
The 56 MWh Heatcube will provide more than 30 GWh of clean process heat annually, replacing natural gas and reducing up to 8,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
“This is a huge step forward for Kyoto Group and for clean low-cost industrial heat. Through our Heat-as-a-Service model, we provide KALL Ingredients with affordable, reliable, and emission-free steam—while enhancing grid flexibility in Hungary,” said Morten Bülow, CEO of Kyoto Group.
The KALL facility is one of the newest corn processing plants in Europe. It can process up to 530,000 tons of corn per year, to produce starches for food, paper and industrial products, alcohol for pharmaceutical and food industries, sweeteners for the food industry and ingredients for animal feed.
“Sustainability is central to our operations. Kyoto’s Heatcube offers a stable and cost-effective supply of clean process heat, helping us reduce energy costs and move towards full reliance on renewable energy,” said Maarten Welten, Managing director of KALL Ingredients.
Innovative Heat-as-a-Service model
The KALL installation was made possible through a strategic partnership with Kyotherm (majority investor), Energiabörze (energy trading partner and minority investor), and Kyoto Group (technology provider), operating under a 15-year Heat-as-a-Service agreement via a Hungarian single-purpose vehicle (SPV).
“Thermal storage solutions like Heatcube show how industry can decarbonize while adding value to the power system. The excess of intermittent renewable energy will be massive and will shape the energy landscape of the coming decade. We are proud to invest in this landmark project,” said Arnaud Susplugas, CEO of Kyotherm.
Increased flexibility
The Heatcube at KALL Ingredients will operate as an asset in the flexibility markets and utilize intermittent renewable energy whenever available, while supplying steam for industrial production.
“As renewables expand in Hungary, flexible storage is essential. With Heatcube we can act on reserve markets and reduce costs for industry,” said András Vinkovits, Chairman of Energiabörze.
Thermal Energy Day sets the stage for Inauguration
The inauguration ceremony follows Thermal Energy Day, which Kyoto Group hosted yesterday in Budapest, Hungary, where thought leaders and leading companies such as Jan Rosenow, McKinsey & Company, Aurora Energy Research, BASF, and others discussed the future of industrial heat. The on-demand version can be watched here.
The technology
Kyoto’s Heatcube is a modular thermal energy storage system that provides industrial customers with low-cost, renewable-based heat while reducing CO₂ emissions. Using intermittent renewable energy to heat molten salt to over 400°C, Heatcube stores from 39 MWh to 104 MWh and delivers up to 14 MW of discharge power. The stored energy is released as high-temperature steam for industrial production processes.
