TU Darmstadt is pooling its research on metallic energy carriers in the newly founded Metal Energy Hub (MEH), which was opened on the Lichtwiese campus. The RSM is delighted to be part of the newly founded Metal Energy Hub. The center is receiving three million euros in funding from the state of Hesse and the EU. Minister of Economic Affairs Kaweh Mansoori visited the university to hand over the funding approval and launch a pilot plant.

The MEH aims to develop metal-based energy storage systems for long-term seasonal storage – a challenge that existing systems such as batteries or pumped storage cannot adequately solve. Iron powder is considered a promising energy source: it can be stored safely, is easy to transport, and generates CO₂-free heat when burned.

The new pilot plant burns several hundred kilograms of iron powder per hour and achieves an output of one megawatt. This enables semi-industrial scaling and opens up the opportunity to convert former coal-fired power plants into CO₂-free iron power plants. “Especially when it comes to highly relevant topics such as the energy transition, it is important to conduct research transfer in parallel with basic research,” says Professor Thomas Walther. The MEH is an example of “that research strength and xchange go hand in hand, enabling innovations with real impact to be developed.”

Coordinator Professor Christian Hasse emphasizes: “We are building on the successful research with our partners, such as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, in the Clean Circles project. With the Metal Energy Hub, we are now creating the platform to bring metallic energy sources to industrial application.”

Technology manager Marius Schmidt adds: “The one-megawatt pilot plant is a decisive step in this direction. Through our partner network, we are bringing together research, industry, and politics—so that the technology can quickly be turned into marketable solutions.”

Several departments at the TU, as well as partners from science, industry, and politics, are working together to further develop technical concepts, analyze economic potential, and prepare for the market entry of metallic energy carriers.
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