The Cyprus Institute (CyI) has announced the launch of a joint research project with Baromar, an innovative energy storage company. This initiative represents the largest private-sector investment in a research project in Cyprus to date, serving as a precursor to new collaborations in renewable energy and energy storage.

According to the Cyprus Institute, the project will be hosted at the PROTEAS Research Facility and aims to advance cutting-edge energy storage solutions. “This research initiative is the largest private-sector investment in a research project ever undertaken in Cyprus and sets the stage for further partnerships in renewable energy and storage technologies,” the announcement stated.

Baromar is described as a global leader in energy storage solutions, offering a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach.

The project at PROTEAS is scheduled to begin operations next year. Following its completion, Baromar will implement systems capable of delivering significant amounts of energy (less than 200 MW) over extended durations (up to 8 hours). These systems are expected to support countries in achieving green transition goals while significantly lowering electricity costs for consumers.

The initiative involves installing and testing an innovative renewable energy storage system based on compressed air stored in underwater tanks. The onshore infrastructure will be situated within the PROTEAS facilities, while the tanks will be placed on the seabed at a depth of approximately 100 meters. A flexible hose will connect the tanks to the surface for air transfer.

“This pilot system will assess the technical and economic feasibility of this solution and pave the way for groundbreaking technologies to enter the global energy storage market, particularly in long-duration storage,” the Cyprus Institute explained. Notably, this will be the first compressed air energy storage project constructed in the EU in 50 years.

The Cyprus Institute, in collaboration with Baromar, plans to integrate this technology with existing heat recovery and storage systems to improve overall process efficiency.

The Institute emphasized its role as a bridge between scientific research and real-world economic needs through its expertise and research infrastructure, such as the PROTEAS facility. Initiatives like this, it added, are the most effective means of promoting investment and creating new employment opportunities.