A simple question that arises concerns: why so much interest in Thermochemical Materials and why there is so much talk about them. The answer is neither simple nor immediate but with the help of some data and numbers everything appears clearer. Given that Europe is making pioneering choices in terms of energy & climate, some numbers that regarding European needs and requirements can be of great help to them, to frame the problem and indicate the appropriate answers. The European Green Deal aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. To make this objective, the Commission proposed the European Climate Law”, which also sets a new, more ambitious net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least -55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Among the many objectives, one in particular deserves a mention: increase to 32% of the share of renewable.

Heating&Cooling constitutes some more than 50% of the final energy demand in Europe and represents by far the largest energy sector to be decarbonized.

Highly urbanized areas play a key role in achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the goal of the European Green Deal. These areas occupy only 4% of the EU land area, but are home to 75% of EU citizens. Furthermore, these areas absorb over 65% of the world's energy and account for over 70% of global CO2 emissions.

In the Europe all buildings are responsible for around 40% of total consumption, and the residential sector for 26%. Since 2000 consumption of the sector has grown significantly and the vast majority (78%) is used for space heating and domestic hot water. In 2019, most energy for heating and cooling was produced from fossil fuels (75% of the total), while renewable sources only provided 22%.

Solar energy is confirmed today the most widespread, substantial and mature renewable energy capable of transporting our planet towards a truly sustainable ecological transition. In addition to PV technologies, the most mature technological solution concerns thermodynamic topic that will be primary players in the near future.

Unfortunately solar energy as well as almost all other renewable energies are characterized by intermittence. Hence the need to develop storage solutions capable of managing the slippage between availability and demand. TCMs represent a great opportunity and solution as they are independent of times, temperature levels and can store huge amounts of energy.