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Gemini Centre for Thermal Energy Storage

The Gemini Centre on Thermal Energy Storage was founded to harness TES's potential, driving research on materials, components, and system integration to boost energy efficiency and grid flexibility.

Centre contacts

Jorge Salgado Beceiro

Jorge Salgado Beceiro

Research Manager SINTEF Energy Research
Julian Walker

Julian Walker

Associate Professor NTNU
Gemini Centre for Thermal Energy Storage - logo


Thermal energy storage (TES) plays a vital role in the global energy transition, offering solutions that enhance energy efficiency, grid flexibility, and the integration of renewable energy sources. The Gemini Centre on Thermal Energy Storage (GS TES) was founded to harness this potential, serving as a leading collaboration platform for research that addresses the entire TES value chain – from advanced materials and innovative components to system integration, control, and monitoring. Established in 2022 by SINTEF Energy Research and the NTNU Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA), GS TES brings together top research scientists to deliver impactful, real-world solutions that meet society and industry's energy challenges. 

GS TES is more than just a research collaboration—it is a driving force for transforming cutting-edge TES research into practical, scalable technologies that benefit both industry and the wider community. By bridging the gap between fundamental science and real-world application, the Centre ensures that innovations in TES are accessible, implementable, and impactful.

History and Motivation

The journey of GS TES began with a shared ambition between two visionary leaders: Alexis Sevault (SINTEF Energy Research) and Julian Walker (NTNU IMA). Recognising the importance of TES in decarbonising heating, cooling, and industrial processes, they initiated discussions in early 2022 to formalise their institutions’ longstanding collaboration. Their combined expertise in energy systems and materials science laid the foundation for a centre dedicated not just to individual components, but to TES as a holistic solution. 

GS TES contract signing event. Left to right: Alexandra Bech Gjørv (SINTEF), Julian Walker (NTNU), Alexis Sevault (Cartesian), Ingrid Schjølberg (NTNU).
GS TES contract signing event. Left to right: Alexandra Bech Gjørv (SINTEF), Julian Walker (NTNU), Alexis Sevault (Cartesian), Ingrid Schjølberg (NTNU).

In October 2022, this vision came to life with a kick-off meeting at NTNU’s Gløshaugen campus. Early initiatives included the establishment of three key task forces focused on laboratory infrastructure, education, and policy engagement—ensuring that GS TES would address both technological development and real-world implementation. With 3 centre meetings per year involving all the partners, the GS TES works actively on achieving the main goal set: to develop scalable TES solutions for energy efficiency, sustainability, and system flexibility.

Kick-off meeting of the Gemini TES Centre 21-10-2022
Kick-off meeting 21-10-2022

By 2023, GS TES had expanded its network, launched national and international projects, and hosted TES Workshops that attracted more than 100 participants from across academia, industry, and government. In that same year, Alexis Sevault started working on Cartesian (SINTEF spin-off he co-founded) and Ragnhild Sæterli was leader for a year, before she became coordinator of an FME research centre. Since 2024, Jorge Salgado Beceiro has been the GS TES leader.

For the last 3 years, the Centre has reached key achievements, including the development of innovative projects and successful funding proposals. It has also strengthened industry collaboration as well as contributing to form the future’s experts in thermal energy storage. Throughout this journey, GS TES has remained committed to transforming thermal energy storage from a research topic into practical solutions that support the green shift.

Mission & vision

  • Mission: To drive strategic and scientific collaboration across the full TES value chain, fostering impactful research, education, and innovations that provide practical energy solutions for society and industry.
  • Vision: To be a nationally recognised centre for delivering comprehensive TES solutions that enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and energy system flexibility.
A flowchart-style illustration representing the development and implementation of thermal energy storage (TES) technology. The diagram begins with 'Analysis of energy sources, energy demands & temperature profiles,' followed by 'Evaluation of goals & opportunities for thermal energy storage technologies.' The central process is depicted through interconnected stages: 'Thermal Energy Storage medium,' 'Design of interface w/ TES medium,' 'Process integration towards goals,' and 'Control & monitoring strategies.' Surrounding elements highlight key aspects, including 'Innovative thermal energy materials' on the left and 'Large-scale testing & de-risking of TES technology' on the right. A bottom banner emphasizes 'Production and implementation of thermal energy storage technology,' linking the entire process to industrial application.
Thermal energy storage value chain

Participants & partners

GS TES is built on a strong partnership between its founding institutions and a network of collaborators who bring complementary expertise to cover every aspect of TES development. The partnership ensures comprehensive research across materials, components, system integration, control, and monitoring of TES technologies.

  • Founding institutions: SINTEF Energy Research and NTNU – Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA)
  • Collaborating partners: SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Industry, and NTNU – Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT)
A group of people is gathered in a modern, well-lit meeting room with large windows, wooden accents, and a high ceiling. They are seated at round tables, engaged in discussions, taking notes, or working on laptops. A presentation is being projected onto a screen at the front of the room, displaying the title 'TES Gemini Centre Meeting' with the date '12.02.2025' and the location 'Zero-Emission Building Laboratory.' Logos for SINTEF and NTNU are also visible on the screen. The background outside the windows shows a snowy landscape with buildings and bicycles parked outside.
Centre meeting at the ZEB-lab (12-02-2025)

Task forces

To effectively address the complexity of the TES value chain and ensure the Centre's work leads to real-world impact, GS TES operates through three dedicated task forces:

  • Task force 1 – Higher visibility of TES in relevant R&D programmes and policies: Focused on ensuring that TES is recognised and prioritised within national and international research agendas and policy frameworks.
  • Task force 2 – Higher presence of TES in higher education: Aims to increase the inclusion of TES topics in academic curricula, fostering the next generation of research scientists and industry professionals.
  • Task force 3 – More collaboration with TES lab infrastructures: Works to strengthen cooperation between laboratories, facilitating resource sharing, joint experiments, and the development of cutting-edge TES technologies.
A graphic illustrating the task forces of 'Termisk Energilagring' (Thermal Energy Storage). The logo at the top left features an infinity symbol with red and blue gradients. Below the logo, 'Task Forces' is written, with 'Task' in light red and 'Forces' in gray. Three numbered priorities are displayed in colored boxes. The first task force, in a blue-green box, focuses on increasing the visibility of thermal energy storage (TES) in relevant research and development programs and policies. The second task force, in a brown box, emphasizes a higher presence of TES in higher education. The third task force, in a red box, highlights the need for more collaboration with TES laboratory infrastructures. The numbers are enclosed in circles, with lines connecting them to the corresponding text.

These task forces cultivate close collaboration among research scientists, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, ensuring that GS TES remains aligned with national goals and global sustainability targets while delivering tangible outcomes.