Tag: Hydrogen Storage

  • Europe’s First Hydrogen Storage Power Plant Secures €4 Million Funding

    Europe’s First Hydrogen Storage Power Plant Secures €4 Million Funding

    Key Takeaways

    1. Europe’s first major hydrogen storage power plant is being built in Germany, focusing on iron nugget-based hydrogen storage technology.
    2. The method involves oxidizing iron nuggets to store hydrogen as iron oxide, providing high energy density and safe transport options.
    3. The project targets businesses needing green hydrogen but lacking access to the hydrogen core network.
    4. A 20-foot container will be developed to hold 600 kg of hydrogen, with options for 800 kg and 900 kg, offering significant electricity storage capacity.
    5. The initiative is supported by nearly 4 million euros from the Free State of Saxony and the European Union, aiming to enhance economic growth through innovative energy solutions.

    Europe’s first major hydrogen storage power plant is under construction at the Saxonia Site Development and Management Company in Germany. The goal is to mature iron nugget-based hydrogen storage technology for commercial use and to set it up effectively as a working storage power facility. This method entails oxidizing iron nuggets to store hydrogen as iron oxide, which results in an extremely high energy density. As stated by the developers, Ambartec, these iron nuggets enable the safe and cost-effective transport of hydrogen in standard containers via truck, rail, or ship.

    Importance of Green Hydrogen

    This development is especially appealing to numerous businesses that require green hydrogen for their renewable energy needs but are either not linked to the hydrogen core network or won’t be in the near future.

    – Uwe Pahl, Technical Director at AMBARtec

    In collaboration with the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, they are working on a storage technology that has already seen practical testing. They aim to finalize a 20-foot container capable of holding 600 kg of hydrogen for mass production, along with options for 800 kg and 900 kg. In the case of the latter, a container would then weigh 32 tons, translating to 30 megawatt hours of electricity. The Free State of Saxony and the European Union are providing nearly 4 million euros to support the joint effort between Ambartec AG and TU Bergakademie Freiberg (BAF).

    Advancing Economic Growth

    This technology holds significant promise for greatly enhancing the shift of our economy towards energy that is both environmentally friendly and climate-conscious. Research and development play a crucial role in fostering growth and productivity, ensuring that companies in Saxony stay globally competitive over the long term through innovative solutions in products and processes.

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    Europe's First Hydrogen Storage Power Plant Secures €4 Million Funding
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  • Easier Conversion of Ammonia to Hydrogen for Green Fuel

    Easier Conversion of Ammonia to Hydrogen for Green Fuel

    Ammonia has emerged as a leading candidate for making hydrogen storage and transport easier. Unlike hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃) does not need to be cooled or pressurized to turn into a liquid. Additionally, it doesn’t require special alloys because small hydrogen molecules can pass through even large metals.

    Safety Considerations

    Although ammonia, which consists of one nitrogen atom connected to three hydrogen atoms, is not completely safe, there are strict regulations regarding its concentration in the air. High levels can lead to irritation, and while ammonia is not easy to ignite, it can create explosive mixtures under certain circumstances.

    Long History of Safe Storage

    Despite these concerns, ammonia has been stored and transported in large amounts without issues for over a century. This history makes it one of the top choices for storing unstable hydrogen. In fact, ammonia’s higher density means it has even more energy per liter compared to hydrogen. Excess energy from renewable sources could be stored as ammonia and utilized later on. However, to use ammonia in fuel cells or hydrogen-powered aircrafts, a more effective and energy-saving method to convert it back into hydrogen needs to be developed.

    Breakthrough at University of Nottingham

    In response to this need, the University of Nottingham has introduced an innovative catalyst designed specifically for this conversion. What makes this catalyst special is that its efficiency actually improves over time due to changes in its structure after it has been created.

    Researchers, using an electron microscope, observed that the rare element ruthenium, which was magnetically deposited on a layer of graphite, gradually transformed into pyramid-shaped structures as time passed. This new configuration made the conversion of ammonia to hydrogen even more efficient with each use.

    This breakthrough marks a crucial advancement in improving the efficiency of hydrogen storage and, consequently, energy storage as a whole. It also demonstrates a more effective way to utilize rare elements such as ruthenium.

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