[ energy storage ]
Iron flame inside the MP100 ’ s combustion chamber during the 2020 pilot . Photo by Bart van Overbeeke Photography
A growing community As the Iron Power technology gains international momentum , we have seen several international startups emerge in France , Canada , and Australia ( Fenix , GH Power , FeX , Altiro , and Ferron Energy ). The ecosystem nurtured by Metalot has become a hotbed of innovation , with multiple startups exploring diverse applications of Iron Power . This internationalization underscored the universal applicability and scalability of Iron Power as a revolutionary energy storage solution .
Current projects and future challenges
With the success of the MP500 demonstration and the pilot projects , the Iron Power ecosystem stands at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions . Ongoing projects and ambitious initiatives define the current landscape , outlining the trajectory for Iron Power in the years to come .
One of the leading projects involves substantiating the cyclicity of iron powder on an industrial scale . While lab-scale tests have shown good results , the shift to larger-scale applications introduces complexities that demand meticulous exploration . The challenge lies in the reduction step with hydrogen , where slower timescales necessitate innovative approaches . This process has many similarities with the reduction process currently being developed by the green steel industry .
The growing demand for iron powder prompts exploration into alternative production methods . Conventional approaches , such as atomization of liquid iron , pose economic and energyintensive challenges . The ecosystem is actively investigating different sources for iron powder to meet the surging market demand , such as ground Direct Reduced Iron ( DRI ). Another crucial component in the Iron Power ecosystem
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 16 | June 2024 35