Researchers at ETH Zurich have devised an innovative method to store hydrogen long-term using iron in steel-walled containers. Drawing inspiration from the centuries-old steam-iron process of hydrogen production, the team found that iron could extract oxygen from hydrogen to store it efficiently. The process involves using surplus solar power in the summer to produce hydrogen, which is then stored in stainless steel reactors filled with iron ore. Retrieving the hydrogen for use is as simple as feeding steam into the reactor, allowing for easy conversion into electricity or heat. The use of cheap and abundant iron ore, along with the simple design of the stainless steel reactors, makes this method cost-effective and practical. The successful pilot project at ETH's campus demonstrates the technology's potential to meet winter energy needs efficiently. Scaling up the storage system could make it economically competitive with grid electricity, offering a sustainable solution for future energy demands. While the full-scale implementation in Switzerland faces challenges, the iron-based storage technology shows promise in addressing seasonal energy requirements and contributing to a greener energy future.