Monash University researchers have made a breakthrough in energy storage technology that could significantly advance the global shift away from fossil fuels. The discovery, detailed in a study published Dec. 18 in Nature, involves a new thermal energy storage (TES) material that could help harness renewable energy more effectively and efficiently.
This TES material could provide a more sustainable solution to one of the major challenges in renewable energy storage: how to store large amounts of energy inexpensively and sustainably.
The newly discovered material integrates three modes of energy storage, creating a “trimodal” system that stores thermal energy with unprecedented efficiency.
“This material represents a major leap forward in thermal energy storage,” said lead study author, Dr. Karolina Matuszek, from the Monash University School of Chemistry.
“By integrating three distinct forms of energy storage into one material, we’ve achieved a level of efficiency and performance that was previously unattainable,” she said.
“This development has the potential to reshape the renewable energy landscape.
“If we can store energy more effectively, we make renewable energy more reliable—and that brings us closer to a sustainable, decarbonized future.”
The material, a mixture of boric and succinic acids, undergoes a transition at around 150°C and can store a record-breaking 600 MJ per m3 of energy, which is almost two times higher than many existing materials.
This novel trimodal system opens new possibilities for the Carnot battery, a cutting-edge energy storage technology. A Carnot battery converts electrical energy into thermal energy for storage, then back into electricity when needed. In this design, the new material acts as the key component in storing the thermal energy, withstanding more than 1,000 heating and cooling cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and performance over time.
The key to the material’s performance is its ability to store energy through three mechanisms simultaneously. First, it stores sensible heat as it warms up, then, during melting of the mixture, the boric acid undergoes a chemical reaction that further stores energy. Remarkably, the chemical reaction is highly reversible, allowing the material to be used repeatedly without degradation, a breakthrough in thermochemical TES materials.
Importantly, the material is both low-cost and environmentally friendly. Boric acid, a flame-retardant substance derived from boron ores, and succinic acid, a bio-based chemical, are inexpensive and sustainably sourced. This makes the material not only more cost-effective than current lithium battery technology but also more environmentally sustainable and not relying on scarce metals.
“The ability of this material to function so effectively in Carnot batteries could transform how we store renewable energy,” said Dr. Matuszek. “It’s not just about storing energy—it’s about doing so in a way that is scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective.
“One of the great advantages of this material is its sustainability. Boric acid and succinic acid are both inexpensive and environmentally friendly, making this a truly green solution for energy storage.”
More information:
Saliha Saher et al, Trimodal thermal energy storage material for renewable energy applications, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08214-1
Citation:
Discovery of trimodal energy storage material boosts renewable energy potential (2024, December 19)
