The Ca-Looping (CaL) process based upon the reversible carbonation/calcination of CaO is one of the most promising technologi ... es for thermochemical energy storage (TCES). SOCRATCES is aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of the CSP-CaL integration by erecting a pilot-scale plant that uses cheap, abundant and non-toxic materials. The project was launched in January 2018 and will run for three years. SOCRATCES global objective is to develop a prototype that will reduce the core risks of scaling up the technology and solve challenges; further understanding and optimise the operating efficiencies that could be obtained; with the longer-term goal of enabling highly competitive and sustainable CSP plants. read more