Iron powder offers several advantages as an energy storage method compared to batteries and hydrogen, though it also has some limitations. Here’s a comparison:
Energy density:
Iron powder has a higher energy density by weight than lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, a 1-liter carton of iron powder contains the same amount of energy as a 12.5-liter tank of hydrogen at 350 bar pressure, or 0.7 liters of petrol.
Safety and handling:
Iron powder is generally safer and easier to handle than hydrogen. It’s non-explosive, stable, and can be transported using existing infrastructure like ships or trains. In contrast, hydrogen is infamous for its explosive nature and requires high-pressure storage.
Storage and transportation:
Iron powder can be easily stored and transported without special precautions. This is an advantage over both batteries, which can be sensitive to temperature and require careful handling, and hydrogen, which needs specialized high-pressure or cryogenic storage systems.
Circularity and environmental impact:
Iron powder can be used in a circular, carbon-free manner. After combustion, the resulting iron oxide (rust) can be regenerated back into iron powder using renewable energy sources. This makes it potentially more sustainable than lithium-ion batteries, which have complex recycling processes.
Cost and availability:
Iron is abundant and relatively inexpensive compared to materials used in lithium-ion batteries. This could make iron powder systems more cost-effective for large-scale energy storage.
Efficiency:
The overall efficiency of the iron powder cycle (combustion plus regeneration) might be around 55-59%. This is lower than the round-trip efficiency of many battery systems but potentially competitive with some hydrogen storage methods.
Applications:
Iron powder is particularly promising for industrial heat applications, district heating, and potentially for retrofitting coal-fired power plants. It’s less suitable for mobile applications like cars due to its weight.
Technological maturity:
Iron powder energy storage is still in the development stage, with pilot projects in the 1-20 MW range and conceptual studies for larger 500 MW-1GW systems. In contrast, battery and hydrogen technologies are more mature and already seeing widespread deployment.
In summary, iron powder offers unique advantages in terms of safety, storage, and circularity, making it a promising option for certain large-scale and industrial applications. However, it may not replace batteries or hydrogen in all scenarios, particularly where weight is a critical factor or for mobile applications. The technology’s ongoing development may further improve its competitiveness in the future energy storage landscape.
see also:
https://www.biobasedpress.eu/2022/04/iron-powder-as-an-energy-carrier/ https://www.reden.nl/our-work/power-from-powder-is-iron-the-new-hydrogen
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/institutes/eindhoven-institute-for-renewable-energy-systems/iron-power
https://www.tue.nl/en/news-and-events/news-overview/01-03-2020-iron-powder-as-the-battery-of-the-future-reusable-and-everywhere-to-be-found
https://teamsolid.org/our-solution/
