Turning buildings into prosumers:our key takeaways from the Enlit podcast
Hystore recently joined the Enlit Europe podcast alongside our partners in the Thermal Energy Storage Cluster to talk about how buildings can play an active role in Europe’s energy transition. Here’s what we shared — and why it matters.
From consumers to prosumers
For decades, buildings have been passive: they consume energy but contribute nothing back. That model is changing. With the right technologies in place, buildings can store energy, release it on demand, and actively support grid stability — becoming what the energy sector now calls prosumers. Thermal energy storage (TES) is one of the most practical and scalable paths to making that shift happen at scale across Europe.
The TES Cluster
Hystore is part of the Thermal Energy Storage Cluster — a collaboration of four Horizon Europe projects working in parallel rather than in silos: THUMBS UP, ECHO, BEST Storage, and Hystore
By coordinating our efforts, we avoid duplicating work, share learnings across different building typologies and climates, and amplify the impact of each project. The podcast was a great opportunity to explain that collaborative model to a broader audience.
“The balance between renewable energy generation and actual demand is one of the central challenges of the energy transition — and thermal storage is one of the most elegant answers we have.”
Why thermal storage works
Renewable energy is abundant but unpredictable. TES bridges the gap: store thermal energy when the sun is shining, or the wind is blowing, and release it when demand peaks. This reduces grid pressure, cuts fossil fuel reliance, and gives buildings a direct role in energy system flexibility. The projects in our cluster are also pushing the frontier of what’s possible technologically:
Phase change materials
Higher energy density in a smaller footprint — ideal for space-constrained buildings.
Thermochemical materials
Storage durations of up to several weeks, with lower environmental impact.
Smart BEMS integration
Real-time data and forecasting automatically optimise energy use at building and grid level.
Retrofitting is complex, but solvable
Most of Europe’s building stock is old. Integrating TES into existing structures brings genuine challenges: limited space, hugely varied building types, and the need for digital connectivity that often doesn’t yet exist. Our projects are developing decentralised storage configurations that can adapt to these constraints rather than requiring buildings to be rebuilt around the technology.
On the regulatory side, the picture is still fragmented. Rules around thermal storage in residential buildings differ significantly across EU member states, and incentive structures remain inconsistent. Clearer policy frameworks would significantly accelerate deployment.
The human side of the transition
- Citizen engagement is not optional. When residents understand and trust TES systems, they use them better. Acceptance directly translates into measurable flexibility gains.
- Buildings as energy hubs. The long-term vision is buildings connected to district networks, energy communities, and the wider grid — contributing to resilience and even integrating with mobility and green infrastructure.
- Integration is the whole game. TES alone is not enough. Combining storage with digital platforms, renewable systems, and smart controls is what makes future buildings genuinely efficient and flexible.
Listen to the full episode
The Enlit Europe podcast episode “Turning buildings into prosumers through thermal storage and smart energy solutions” covers all of this in much more depth, including perspectives from our cluster partners. Well worth a listen if you’re following the energy transition in the built environment.