‘Iron could complement hydrogen as an energy carrier’
(Photo: Janik Hebel, TU Darmstadt)
July 2, 2026 – Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have investigated how iron could serve as an additional energy carrier alongside hydrogen. Iron powder stores energy by oxidising during combustion. The resulting iron oxide can then be converted back into pure iron using renewable energy, creating a closed energy cycle.
Compared with hydrogen, iron is easier to store and transport because it does not require high-pressure tanks or extremely low temperatures. This makes it attractive for industrial applications that require large amounts of energy.
The researchers evaluated several future scenarios and concluded that iron could become a valuable addition to existing energy systems. While it is unlikely to replace hydrogen, it may improve the reliability and sustainability of future energy supplies.
The study was published in June in Chem Circularity under the title ‘A new iron age? The potential role of iron fuel in Europe’s clean energy transition’.
