Energy storage and aluminum alloys

How much energy can be stored in aluminium?

Energy that is stored chemically in Al may reach 23.5 MWh/m 3. Power-to-Al can be used for storing solar or other renewable energy in aluminium. Hydrogen and heat can be produced at low temperatures from aluminium and water. ≈500 kg Al are needed for a 100% solar PV supplied dwelling in Central Europe.

Can aluminium redox cycles be used for energy storage?

Aluminium redox cycles are promising candidates for seasonal energy storage. Energy that is stored chemically in Al may reach 23.5 MWh/m 3. Power-to-Al can be used for storing solar or other renewable energy in aluminium. Hydrogen and heat can be produced at low temperatures from aluminium and water.

Are Al alloys suitable for high-temperature thermal storage?

Moreover, Al alloys with a more regular morphology and lower content of reactive metals performed better in terms of thermal performance and cyclic capability, making them more suitable as candidate PCMs in the high-temperature thermal storage.

When will aluminium be used for energy storage?

Although it is possible that first systems for seasonal energy storage with aluminium may run as early as 2022, a large scale application is more likely from the year 2030 onward.

What is the energy density of aluminium?

Aluminium can be used to produce hydrogen and heat in reactions that yield 0.11 kg H 2 and, depending on the reaction, 4.2–4.3 kWh of heat per kg Al. Thus, the volumetric energy density of Al (23.5 MWh/m 3) 1 outperforms the energy density of hydrogen or hydrocarbons, including heating oil, by a factor of two (Fig. 3).

What is the energy density of aluminium (Al) electrolysis cells?

Thus, the volumetric energy density of Al (23.5 MWh/m 3) 1 outperforms the energy density of hydrogen or hydrocarbons, including heating oil, by a factor of two (Fig. 3). Aluminium (Al) electrolysis cells can produce elementary Al from aluminium oxide (Power-to-Al).