Iron-nickel battery energy storage hydrogen production

What is iron hydrogen battery?

Iron–hydrogen battery is a novel rechargeable aqueous battery system for large-scale energy storage,100 designed as a static cell without using electrolyte pumping or circulation systems, which reduces manufacturing costs. It is based on the [Fe (CN)6]3−/ [Fe (CN)6]4− redox couple cathode and hydrogen gas anode in an alkaline solution.

Could iron be used for seasonal energy storage?

Researchers at ETH Zurich are using iron to store hydrogen safely and for long periods. In the future, this technology could be used for seasonal energy storage. ETH researchers Samuel Heiniger (left, with a jar of iron ore) and Professor Wendelin Stark in front of the three iron reactors on ETH Zurich’s Hönggerberg campus. (Image: ETH Zurich)

How can iron and steel contribute to green hydrogen production?

Among promising green hydrogen production approaches, that use iron as an energy carrier, are chemical cycles, 23,24 alkaline electrolysis cells, 25 and thermochemical water splitting. 26 Therefore, the iron and steel industry can play a vital role in the development of the hydrogen economy.

Can hydrogen be stored in a reactor?

Storing hydrogen is expensive and inefficient. In a pilot plant on ETH Zurich’s Hönggerberg campus, ETH researchers are showing how this could soon change. The researchers react the hydrogen with iron oxide in three reactors. The resulting iron is easy to store and convert back into hydrogen and iron oxide.

Are iron redox flow batteries a viable energy storage solution?

Innovations such as iron redox flow batteries (Fe RFBs) and iron–hydrogen batteries offer scalable, efficient, and non-toxic solutions for utility-scale storage. The battolyser system, which combines a nickel–iron battery with the production of hydrogen, is a versatile energy storage option.

What happens if you put hydrogen in iron ore?

There, the hydrogen extracts the oxygen from the iron ore – which in chemical terms is simply iron oxide – resulting in elemental iron and water. “This chemical process is similar to charging a battery. It means that the energy in the hydrogen can be stored as iron and water for long periods with almost no losses,” Stark says.