Reference Pilot 01 · Varis FlexHub · Gothenburg
Validating thermal energy storage in a real commercial building
ThermoReserve is validating its modular thermal-storage product through a staged pathway from stand-alone prototype testing to building integration and winter operation.
Varis Förvaltning AB provides the real commercial-building environment. The purpose is to verify the product under controlled conditions first, then measure its behaviour and value under actual site operation.
Pilot roadmap
From stand-alone validation to winter operation
The programme progresses in stages so that product behaviour is verified before site effects are introduced.
Prototype preparation & stand-alone validation
Through end of October 2026Prepare and verify the ThermoReserve prototype before connection to the building.
- Complete prototype preparation
- Verify charging and discharge behaviour
- Check temperature development and retention
- Verify control, safety and sensor functions
- Confirm reliable data collection
Target: complete stand-alone validation before site connection.
Building integration & commissioning
After successful stand-alone validationInstall and connect the TES product to the Varis building and establish the interfaces required for measured operation.
- Thermal connection to the building
- Electrical and control interfaces
- Commissioning and operating checks
- Metering and baseline preparation
Timing: subject to test completion and site readiness.
Winter operating validation
Winter 2026/27Operate the system under real heating conditions and compare different storage and heat-delivery scenarios.
- Meter charging and useful heat delivery
- Test different charge/discharge strategies
- Evaluate thermal load shifting
- Assess peak-demand effects
- Observe control response and stability
Target: build a measured reference under real winter operation.
Performance assessment & replication learning
After winter validationConvert measured results into product learning and clearer requirements for future building deployments.
- Compare operating scenarios
- Refine product configuration
- Identify repeatable interfaces
- Define deployment requirements
- Prepare the next reference applications
Output: evidence and learning for repeatable deployment.
Validation framework
What will be measured during the pilot
The pilot is designed to reduce technical and commercial uncertainty, not simply demonstrate that equipment can operate on a site.
How the thermal reserve behaves
Measurements will establish the basic performance of charging, retention and useful heat delivery.
- Charge power and energy input
- Temperature development
- Thermal retention and heat loss
- Useful thermal output
How reliably the product operates
Product behaviour will be evaluated across different operating modes and under defined safety boundaries.
- Control response and operating modes
- Sensor and metering behaviour
- Alarms, interlocks and safety functions
- Operating stability
What changes when the product meets the building
Site operation provides the evidence needed to improve interfaces, commissioning and future deployment logic.
- Building-side integration
- Scenario comparison
- Thermal load shifting
- Replication and standardisation learning
Project roles
One pilot, four clear responsibilities
The pilot separates the host-site, R&D, thermal-storage product and wider site-integration roles.
Varis Förvaltning AB
Host site and real-world validation environment for the commercial-building pilot.
Greenco Tech AB
Supports the technology-development and validation pathway and contributes R&D support where required.
ThermoReserve AB
Provides the thermal-energy-storage product, thermal subsystem, product monitoring and commissioning support.
EnerVectum AB
Represents the integrated site solution and multi-asset coordination around the wider FlexHub environment.
Evidence first
Measured results will replace assumptions as the pilot progresses
Before integrated testing is complete, performance objectives are treated as validation targets rather than final commercial-performance claims.
As the programme moves through commissioning and winter operation, this page can evolve into a measured reference case with verified operating data, selected charts and lessons relevant to future deployments.
Replication pathway
From building validation to broader thermal applications
Varis is the first real-site building pathway. Broader application pilots should follow the evidence and the availability of suitable host sites, rather than a fixed calendar.
Commercial buildings & real estate
Varis establishes the first real-site reference for building heating and thermal flexibility.
Timing: current pilot pathway, including winter 2026/27 validation.
Industrial & process heat
Future validation can extend the platform toward industrial thermal duties, higher-utilisation operation and recoverable-heat applications.
Timing: after sufficient building validation, subject to a suitable host site and thermal duty.
Local & district energy
Later pilots may evaluate modular TES in multi-building, local-energy and district-heating or cooling environments.
Timing: later validation pathway, subject to technical evidence and suitable partners.
Future reference sites
A good pilot should have a path to replication
ThermoReserve is interested in sites with a clear thermal duty, committed operating partner and a credible reason to validate thermal storage under real conditions.