Flexing The Future S2:EP2 - Jeroen Vanfraechem on energy storage in industry

In the second episode, Jeroen Vanfraechem, co-founder of Entras, explores the evolving role of energy storage in today’s industrial landscape. He opens the conversation by challenging the long-standing belief that electricity cannot be stored, arguing instead for a broader and more practical understanding of energy storage. While lithium-ion batteries often dominate the conversation, Jeroen highlights that energy can be stored in many other forms most notably as heat. Thermal storage, such as hot water buffers, proves to be a simple, affordable and highly effective solution for many industrial environments. Since a significant portion of industrial energy consumption involves heat, storing energy thermally can be just as impactful as traditional battery solutions. He also points out that industries can benefit from smartly managing their processes to align better with energy availability. For example, by temporarily storing products, adjusting production schedules or storing energy during times of high renewable output like sunny or windy periods, companies can reduce costs and help balance the grid. With the rise of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are inherently variable, the need for flexible storage solutions becomes even more urgent. According to Jeroen, adopting a broader view on energy storage is essential, not just for individual companies, but for de resilience and efficiency of the entire energy system.