REVEAL’s Major Milestone in Renewable Energy Storage
The REVEAL project has reached a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionize renewable energy storage. The goal of achieving a bulk energy density of 15 MWh/m³ using aluminium granules has been successfully demonstrated by our partners at The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST). Repeated measurements have confirmed bulk energy densities of aluminium granulate meeting this target, highlighting the potential of aluminium as a game-changing energy carrier of very high density.
This milestone is part of REVEAL’s innovative energy storage cycle that is based on Power-to-Aluminium:
The conversion of aluminium oxide into aluminium metal using renewable electricity in a carbon-free electrolysis system. The resulting aluminium acts as a compact, high-energy storage medium that can be utilized to generate on demand heat and hydrogen, or alternatively, heat and electricity, depending on the application. This approach offers key advantages, including a volumetric energy density more than twice that of LNG, three times that of methanol, and over five times higher than liquid hydrogen.
By focusing on a seasonal energy storage cycle, REVEAL aims to provide a practical solution for balancing energy demand and supply. The system integrates two core innovations: Power-to-Aluminium, which enables efficient energy storage, and Alu-to-Energy, a technology for emission-free conversion of stored energy into heat and electricity. Together, these components make it possible to store renewable energy during periods of low demand and release it during peak usage, effectively addressing challenges like winter peak-demand, emergency backup and off-grid power needs.
This breakthrough highlights aluminium's potential as a sustainable energy carrier that eliminates harmful emissions, reduces storage costs, and supports the transition to a climate-neutral Europe. By achieving this milestone, the REVEAL project is committed to advancing innovative technologies that address critical energy challenges, positioning aluminium as a game-changing vector in the renewable energy landscape.