Reduction and oxidation of aluminium offers an affordable solution for long term energy storage. Aluminium can be produced by reduction of alumina in smelter plants based on an electrowinning process that uses renewable electricity. It can be stored loss-free for as long as desired, and used as a “renewable energy carrier” from which heat and power can be produced by oxidation. A combined heat and power production unit based on aluminium as a “renewable fuel” is presented in this paper.

SPF Institute for Solar Technology