Carbon-free chemical energy carriers

Carbon-free energy carriers are studied for storing renewable electrical energy in a circular economy. Here we focus on ammonia, metal borohydride such as KBH4, and reactive metals such as iron and aluminium. For instance, sun and wind energy can be chemically stored by reducing iron oxides with electrolysis hydrogen in regions of inexpensive renewable energy. The time-flexible energy release through iron oxidation then takes place in regions with high energy demand.

Such seasonal, non-toxic, long-term energy carriers provide energy capacity that is no longer available due to the shutdown of nuclear and coal-fired power plants. They additionally compensate fluctuations in domestic renewable electricity, use existing large-scale infrastructures, and secure a political-independent energy supply.

 

 

 

Iron as sustainable energy carrier
Iron as sustainable energy carrier

Iron is a promising, recyclable energy carrier that allows energy to be stored in large quantities and over long periods of time...

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KBH4 (potassium borohydride) as carbon-free energy carrier
Metal borohydrides as chemical energy carrier

Non-fossil fuels are urgently needed for maritime and inland shipping applications to mitigate the sector’s adverse impact on the global climate...

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Electrochemically supported ammonia synthesis
Electrochemically supported ammonia synthesis

As an alternative to centralized Haber-Bosch, small-scale electrochemical ammonia synthesis has great potential. Avoiding very high pressures ...

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Ammonia Decomposition by Stagnation Flow Reactor
Hydrogen from ammonia decomposition

The urgent need to address climate change has motivated governments around the world to set ambitious net-zero emissions targets. Hydrogen has emerged ...

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