Sharing Critical Insights for a Supercritical Future: HPT at the International sCO2 Symposium
Researchers from KTH’s HPT division presented the latest developments from their work on supercritical CO₂ (sCO2) systems and technologies at the International Supercritical CO₂ Energy Technologies Symposium, held in Pittsburgh, USA from the 2nd to the 5th of March 2026.
The International sCO2 symposium is a leading international forum dedicated to sCO₂ power cycles, energy storage, and high‑temperature heat transfer technologies. Over four days, experts from academia, industry, and government gathered to exchange insights, strengthen collaborations, and explore innovative research on sCO₂ systems for future energy infrastructures.
Three contributions from HPT were featured during the event:
Ana Sánchez presented her paper - “Techno‑economic analysis of sCO₂ Carnot batteries in ancillary services markets”, examining the potential of sCO₂‑based Carnot batteries as future grid‑flexibility assets. The study focused on a 10 MW Carnot battery concept that uses industrial waste heat to charge a molten‑salt thermal energy storage system. A central aspect of the analysis was the system’s capability to provide frequency‑regulation services during both charging and discharging. In this context, two operational strategies were assessed: participation in the spot market alone, and combined participation in spot and ancillary services markets. Both strategies were evaluated under design and off‑design turbomachinery conditions.
Emily Fricke presented her paper - “Impact of Cooling Fluid on the Design and Performance of a Supercritical CO₂ Heat Exchanger for Applications in High‑Temperature Heat Pumps”, exploring how different cooling fluids influence the design and performance of a printed circuit heat exchanger serving as the heat sink for a high‑temperature CO₂ heat pump. In the study, three sink fluids – thermal oil, molten salt, and air were compared, with variations in channel diameter and core length investigated using key performance metrics of power density and pressure drop.
Emily Fricke also represented the HPT division in the International R&D panel, where she presented ongoing sCO₂‑related research activities at KTH’s HPT division and contributed to discussions on global development trends, research challenges, and emerging industrial opportunities.
Each contribution prompted engaging discussions, highlighting the increasing importance of sCO₂ research in building efficient, flexible, and low‑carbon energy systems and technologies.
👉 If you are interested in learning more about our ongoing sCO2 research or exploring possible collaboration opportunities, kindly contact our team!
