Source: Jesse Hameete

Looking back IJZER strong energy transition with fireworks

Many fireworks were set off again this New Year in the Netherlands. But did you know that these fireworks could also be the solution for seasonal storage of renewable energy?

Indeed, at Eindhoven University of Technology, led by professors Philip de Goey and Niels Deen, the use of iron powder (main component of starlets) as an energy carrier is being investigated. Powdered iron contains about twice as much energy as coal and could potentially, with minor modifications, be burned in existing coal-fired power plants.

This burnt powder (iron oxide) can be regenerated (recharged) again using green hydrogen. Iron, unlike hydrogen, does not need to be stored extremely under high pressure or low temperature to get the same energy density. It is also non-toxic (like ammonia) and iron is abundant (unlike some materials used in lithium batteries).

Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Netherlands will need to generate about 200 PJ (about 55 billion kWh) of energy in summer so that we are not cold in winter (assuming we generate everything locally with sun and wind).

If not, we will have to import energy from other countries closer to the equator. In both cases, this involves huge amounts of energy. Iron powder is ideally suited for seasonal storage and intercontinental transport of renewable energy.

In this online lunch lecture, Conrad Hessels from Eindhoven University of Technology will "enlighten" you in about 45 minutes on the promises that iron powder holds for the Energy Transition!

The speaker:


Conrad Hessels (PhD student at Eindhoven University of Technology) studied mechanical engineering at TU Eindhoven. In 2018, he started his PhD research at the same university. He has also been a KIVI board member of the Mechanics Department since 2015. Besides his research at TU/e, he and his parents own a farm in Lage Zwaluwe.

Watch back E Lunch webinar dated 18-01-2023

Interesting links:

TU/e: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/power-flow/
Metalot: https://www.metalot.nl/
Iron plus: https://ironfuel.nl/
RIFT: https://www.ironfueltechnology.com/
Team Solid: https://teamsolid.org/


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