Recyclable metal fuels as future zero-carbon energy carrier

Abstract

What if small metal particles were the future of energy?Combustion of these metal particles releases a large amount of energy and has the advantage of not emitting carbon dioxide. These particles, burning in air, produce metal oxides which can then be regenerated using solar energy. This cycle energy production / recycling can make it possible to store energy produced with renewable energy in a secure and sustainable way, so that it can be used where and when it is needed.The STELLAR project described in this paper, funded by the French research agency, allows a group of research and industrial partners to work on this original and promising concept. This work is part of a disruptive technology to solve the problem of global warming in the long term.

Keywords

• Zero-carbon energy carrier
• Metal particles
• Carbothermal reduction
• Direct combustion
• Aluminum
• Magnesium