Researchers from the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) and the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) have achieved a significant milestone in renewable energy advancement. The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded them a substantial grant amounting to 845,000 euros for their research on utilizing iron powder as a renewable energy source.
Xiaocheng Mi and Giulia Finotello of TU/e’s Department of Mechanical Engineering will helm the project under NWO’s Open Technology Programme. This financial boost will support their investigation into metal powders, specifically iron, which are emerging as promising carriers for renewable energy due to their high energy content and recyclability.
In energy transition, the mismatch between the constant demand for energy and the intermittent supply from renewable resources like wind and solar energy remains a critical challenge. Metal powders like iron, with their high energy density and ability to be recycled efficiently, could provide a solution.
TU/e, in collaboration with Metalot, has been at the forefront in the research and technological development of iron powder for energy storage and release. This project, titled Metal-enabled Cycle of Renewable Energy (MeCRE), is a push to establish an iron powder-based global renewable energy system.
The researchers aim to identify the optimal powder production method that ensures iron powders retain their quality throughout repeated cycles of combustion and reduction. This process is key to the sustainable use of iron powder as an energy carrier.
The study will also involve assessing various “fresh” iron powders and those that have undergone multiple cycles of use, examining their microstructure and reactivity characteristics. By working closely with both academic and industrial partners, including some leading global steel and metal organizations, the team expects to enhance the process of selecting and producing these powders as efficient energy carriers.
With this project, the researchers are expecting not only to guide the selection of powders for renewable energy applications but also to enhance the production methods of these powders, improving their overall efficiency and sustainability. Xiaocheng Mi points out that while this research is in its early stages, there’s rapid progress, and it’s responsive to the critical questions from industrial partners who are keen to contribute to sustainability efforts.
