Innovative Iron-Based Technology to Store Solar Energy: A Sustainable Solution for Switzerland's Winter Electricity Gap
Key Ideas
  • ETH Zurich researchers have developed a safer and cheaper technology for seasonal hydrogen storage using iron, addressing Switzerland's winter electricity gap.
  • The technology utilizes a steam-iron process, converting surplus summer solar power to hydrogen, stored as iron and water with minimal energy loss.
  • Iron ore, the raw material, is easily accessible and the storage method is estimated to be ten times cheaper than existing solutions, with potential for global scalability.
  • The pilot plant at the Hönggerberg campus demonstrates the technical feasibility of the iron-based energy storage system for sustainable energy management.
Photovoltaics are projected to satisfy over 40% of Switzerland's electricity requirements by 2050, but the fluctuating nature of solar power poses challenges for meeting winter demands. Switzerland aims to bridge this gap through a mix of imports, wind, hydropower, solar plants, and gas-fired power. To reduce reliance on imports and gas during winter, researchers at ETH Zurich have devised a novel approach to store hydrogen safely and affordably using iron. By leveraging the steam-iron process, excess summer solar energy is used to produce hydrogen from water in a stainless steel reactor filled with iron ore. This energy is stored as iron and water, then converted back to hydrogen in winter for electricity generation. The technology offers advantages including cost-effectiveness, scalability, and reusability of the reactor without special safety measures. While hydrogen production efficiency is a concern, it remains a viable option when alternatives are limited. The pilot plant at Hönggerberg showcases the practical application of this innovative storage method, signaling a promising solution for sustainable energy management.
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