Aluminium as a Means for Chemically Storing and Transporting Renewable Energies
Abstract
While solar energy is abundant and clean, its intermittency presents a major challenge for reliable integration into energy systems at a large scale. Conventional storage technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, pumped hydro storage or hydrogen face limitations such as high capital cost when used for seasonal storage or lack of scalability due to geographical or socio-political constraints. In this context, aluminium, one of the most abundant metals in the Earth's crust, emerges as a promising renewable metal energy carrier (ReMEC) that addresses many of these challenges. Due to its high energy density, stability in solid form, and ability to release large amounts of energy upon oxidation, aluminium offers a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels and hydrogen-based energy vectors. When reacting with water, aluminium releases thermal energy and, depending on conditions, produces hydrogen gas, making it suitable for both heat and electricity supply.
Keywords
metal energy carrier, energy storage, energy transport, aluminium