1

Why the project matters

The Mediterranean climate is ideal for harnessing and storing solar thermal energy to reduce the energy demand of buildings toward a net zero energy building target. Despite being a proven technology, there remains minimal deployment of Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) in Mediterranean countries. This is attributed to the lack of regulations, data, and pilot demonstrations that prove the efficiency and feasibility of this technology in this region.
The region exhibits diverse climate profiles (arid to semi-arid to Mediterranean), diverse geologic settings (soils/rocks with different thermo-physical properties), and diverse building envelopes. These factors impact the energy demand for heating and cooling and the performance of seasonal storage technologies. By engaging partners from 5 Mediterranean countries, the project acknowledges the necessity of tailoring seasonal storage solutions to varied climatic and geologic conditions, heating and cooling load profiles, as well as thermal energy storage technologies to ensure solutions are adaptable and effective in optimizing energy efficiency across the entire region.

2

What it aims to achieve

• To demonstrate and validate borehole and tank thermal energy storage technologies in Mediterranean settings.
• To increase the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for heating and cooling.
• To build knowledge, tools, and policy support for wider uptake of STES technologies across the region.

3

Expected change

• Improved building energy efficiency in 3 pilot sites through locally adapted thermal storage solutions.
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions by integrating solar energy with seasonal storage for heating/cooling systems.
• Strengthened capacities among energy experts, designers, and policymakers in applying STES technologies.

4

What the project delivers

• 3 full-scale STES pilots in Beirut (Lebanon), Ajloun (Jordan), and Palermo (Italy); 1 showcase pilot in Barcelona (Spain).
• A Mediterranean Toolkit for STES design based on local climate, geology, and energy needs.
• A digital platform with case studies and visibility tools for wider awareness and adoption.
• Policy recommendations and sustainability plans to support national strategies and energy transitions.

5

Who benefits

• Building occupants benefiting from reduced energy costs and cleaner energy sources.
• Designers, engineers, and researchers gaining data and guidance for thermal storage implementation.
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) companies, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) firms, and construction developers accessing scalable STES technologies.
• Policy makers and regulators with tools to integrate thermal storage into national energy plans.