Efficient Power-to-X storage systems for hydrogen (H2)
How to efficiently and safely store hydrogen?
One of the central technological problems of the energy transition is the efficient and safe storage of hydrogen (H2). In order to bring hydrogen as an energy carrier right to the customers’ doorsteps, work is currently underway on energy-storage systems that aim to significantly boost the efficiency of the electricity-hydrogen-electricity energy conversion chain. Storing H2 is still complicated and expensive and still impeding the widespread use of hydrogen.
The FEREDOX process developed by NACOMPEX
An idea is to store the energy of hydrogen in iron pellets using a redox reaction with iron – cost-effectively, reliably and with a high energy density. In this way, hydrogen can be easily and safely stored and transported as well as efficiently recovered and converted into electricity.
In two pilot projects, Mabanaft and NACOMPEX GmbH are working together to develop an innovative, decentralised system for storing and transporting hydrogen in this regard. In Dresden, NACOMPEX researches and develops innovative energy storage systems, i.e. high-performance Power-to-X storage systems based on the patented FEREDOX process for purposes of electricity storage, mobility and feedstock industry.
Several projects are planned to determine reliable parameters for the technological use of iron for storing and transporting hydrogen on a larger scale. For example, in cooperation with the Dresden University of Technology, NACOMPEX will set up a research facility to test the operational performance of the iron-filled storage containers used to store hydrogen. And as part of the FutureHDrive project, the FeRedox storage technology is being scaled up as a 1 MWh standard module for hydrogen storage. The system will be constructed in the form of a stationary container and prepared to be integrated on a rail vehicle. Using this type of system, it will be possible to use electricity from renewable energies or hydrogen produced from them in the transport system, expectedly in a highly efficient manner.
The investment in NACOMPEX GmbH is directly related to Mabanaft’s Sustainable Fuels Strategy and ties in with its ongoing hydrogen- and power-to-liquid projects, such as AquaVentus and P2X-Europe. The advantage of this cooperation with NACOMPEX is that the FEREDOX process can in principle also be employed for efficiently producing synthetic fuels that can then be used without any problems in the existing service station infrastructure.
Funding of the project as a contribution to the National Hydrogen Strategy
Germany’s federal government is also impressed by the NACOMPEX approach. The FutureHDrive project is part of its National Hydrogen Strategy and NACOMPEX is receiving just under €1.8 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), bringing the total funding for all three project partners to almost €3 million.
Hydrogen as part of Mabanaft's sustainable fuels strategy
We believe that the transformation towards cleaner and lower carbon economy will require a broad range of solutions to secure the future energy needs of our customers. Green hydrogen will be one of the key components of this transformation. We are a member of the AquaVentus association, which aims to install a total of 10 gigawatts of offshore wind turbines in the North Sea between Helgoland and the Sandbank Doggerbank by 2035. One million tons of green hydrogen per year could soon be produced on the high seas.
Our stake in energy-storage specialist NACOMPEX underlines our commitment to play an active role in shaping the energy transition and to offer our customers innovative solutions that they can use to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Status: March 2022
All information subject to change. Errors and omissions excepted.