Why Burning Iron for Fuel Could Be the Next Big Thing in Renewable Energy
However unlikely, recent work regarding iron as a clean energy source has been encouraging and demonstrates that in areas where solar, wind, and hydrogen power aren’t possible or are too expensive, there can be an alternative renewable power source. Below, we’ll detail why burning iron for fuel could be the next big thing in renewable energy.
What is iron?
Iron is commonly thought of in two ways: as a vitamin and as a mineral that is converted to metal. It is found throughout our lives, most often in kitchen implements such as cast iron skillets and other metal implements. Iron can also be found in powdered form. In this form is how it is useful to creating renewable energy.
How does burning iron for fuel create renewable energy?
Referred to as the “circular economy of iron burning,” iron is burned and creates and improves combustion processes through a variety of means, including electrolysis. Following the successful high-heat combustion process, there is waste comprised of oxidized rust that can be recycled to create new energy in this circular energy creation process.
What are the advantages of iron and why hasn’t this been tried before?
Iron may be thought of as bulky and heavy but, as a powder, it is light and easily transportable. Iron as a source of renewable energy is possible almost anywhere with the right facilities. Although iron as renewable energy has been available for quite a while, traditional fossil fuels such as oil and coal have been more plentiful and cheaper, thus not requiring new ways of creating energy. Only with the need for renewable energy for both environmental and practical purposes has iron become another possible energy creator to meet the world’s energy needs.
Is iron as a renewable energy source possible in the short term or is this a longer-term strategy?
Iron as a source of renewable energy is a promising idea that is feasible for a small number of energy producers but, as of now, requires much more planning and a larger supply chain to make this a reality. As it stands, many facilities are not yet equipped to convert iron into energy and thus cannot take advantage of it.
Is this a positive development for renewable energy?
Although many do not immediately associate iron with renewable energy, burning iron for fuel could be the next big thing in renewable energy. The more good options governments and localities have, the more likely they will be to choose renewable energy going forward.
What Can Green Hydrogen Do for Renewable Energy?
With the renewed emphasis on climate change, many states and municipalities are exploring every possible option to increase the amount of options they have when producing renewable energy. For many years, solar and wind have been the dominant forms of renewable energy, and the first thing many people think of when they think of clean energy. Now, green hydrogen, which was previously prohibitive due to cost and infrastructure, is another renewable and reasonable alternative to wind and solar. Below, we’ll detail what hydrogen power and green hydrogen are and what it can do for renewable energy.
What is hydrogen power?
Hydrogen power is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, leaving only water as a by-product, making it a great clean energy solution for states and municipalities. However, the traditional manner to create hydrogen is not even close to environmentally friendly due to the exposure of hydrogen to fossil fuels. It also requires a large amount of energy to split atoms and create hydrogen power, creating another environmental harm. This process proved to be unwieldy and impractical, not to mention the environmentally unfriendly impact this process would have.
What is green hydrogen power?
Green hydrogen, in contrast, is produced in a much more environmentally friendly way. Green hydrogen, although not a recent invention, has just recently become a practical alternative to traditional hydrogen power. Given the fact that a large amount of energy is returned to the grid from other renewable energy sources – such as wind and solar – the amount of energy expended to create green hydrogen energy and its potential to cause more pollution is no longer a significant consideration. Another consideration to the value and ecological proposition of producing green hydrogen power is that electrolyzers, the machines that split water into hydrogen and oxygen, are becoming much more efficient than their predecessors.
What can the potential impact of green hydrogen power on renewable energy be?
Green hydrogen power can potentially have a revolutionary impact on renewable energy and how it is produced, given the advances in both the power grid and electrolyzers. This new way to create renewable energy can help shift more resources into clean energy, reducing overall negative environmental impact and causing long-term investment in more reliable energy solutions. Some companies are already working to integrate green hydrogen power into their existing operations or plans, so they can reap its benefits early and often. For some sectors of the economy that are so far untouched by wind or solar power, green hydrogen can provide a clean energy alternative given the requirements of more concentrated energy. No matter its uses per industry, green hydrogen power will help propel clean energy forward and provide another way to power homes, businesses, and other important locations.