This lecture explores aluminium as a renewable metal energy carrier and its role in sustainable energy storage.
It outlines global production trends, emphasizing the benefits of recycling compared to carbon-intensive primary production.

Charging pathways such as the Hall-Héroult process and emerging inert anode technologies are explained, along with activation and shaping methods that make aluminium usable as fuel. Discharging reactions with air, steam, and water, combined with by-product recycling and life cycle assessments, demonstrate aluminium’s potential as a circular, carbon-free energy option.  

CONTENT

1. Aluminium World Production & Market  

2. Power-to-Aluminium (Storage/Fuel Charging) 

3. Shaping Aluminium for Fuel ​

4. Alu-to-Energy (Storage / Fuel Discharging) 

5. Closing the Material Cycle 

6. Option: Using Aluminium Scrap 

7. Life Cycle Assessment 

Main Findings

  • The CO₂-emitting Hall-Héroult process dominates primary aluminium production today, but emerging inert anode technologies promise carbon-free aluminium by 2030 with higher efficiency.

  • Aluminium requires specific processes (e.g., milling, alloying, alkaline treatment) to overcome its passivating oxide layer and enable its use for the release of energy (Alu-to-Energy).

  • In discharging, aluminium can deliver heat and hydrogen through air, steam, or water reactions, making it flexible for energy supply of both buildings and industry.

  • Life Cycle Assessment shows significant reduction of GWP when replacing fossil fuels and hence large potential as a carbon-free energy carrier.