Happy Eco News Heat Storing Firebricks Make Clean Energy Cheaper
Reading Time: 3 minutesHeat storing firebricks could reduce clean energy transition costs by over a trillion dollars.
A new study published in PNAS Nexus suggests that using special heat storing firebricks could significantly reduce the costs and challenges of switching to 100% clean energy worldwide. The research, led by Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford University, looked at how these bricks could impact 149 countries.
These special bricks, called heat storing firebricks, can withstand extreme heat. They can be heated for energy storage using extra electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar. Later, they can release that stored heat for use in factories and industrial processes. This approach could help solve one of the biggest problems with renewable energy: its variability.
The study compared two scenarios for transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050: one without these heat storing firebricks and one that uses them. Using computer simulations, the researchers found that using firebricks could lower overall energy costs while making the power grid more reliable.
The researchers discovered several benefits of using heat storing firebricks. They found that fewer batteries would be needed to store electricity, less hydrogen would need to be produced for backup power, and less underground heat storage would be required. The amount of wind turbines and solar panels needed also decreased slightly. Overall, using heat storing firebricks reduced the cost of switching to clean energy by $1.27 trillion and lowered yearly energy costs by $119 billion across all countries studied. The cost of energy per unit also dropped by about 2%.
The study found that the heat storing firebricks were used efficiently in most regions, being charged and discharged regularly. In contrast, batteries were mainly used for short bursts of power rather than long-term energy storage.
Beyond saving money, using heat storing firebricks also reduced the amount of land needed for clean energy equipment by 2,700 square kilometers. However, it did result in about 118,000 fewer jobs compared to the scenario without heat storing firebricks, due to less need for other types of energy storage and power generation.
The researchers noted that these heat storing firebrick systems are already available for purchase and could potentially be used for up to 90% of industrial heating needs. They can store heat at temperatures up to 1,800°C (3,272°F), making them suitable for a wide range of industrial uses.
While the results are promising, the researchers acknowledge some uncertainties. They tested what would happen if the bricks lost more heat over time and found that even with higher heat loss, the system still saved money compared to not using firebricks.
The study suggests that using these heat storing firebricks could be a valuable tool in making the switch to 100% clean energy easier and cheaper across all sectors. However, the authors note that incentives and new policies may be needed to encourage the widespread use of firebricks in factories, as existing heating systems are deeply entrenched.
This research adds to a growing body of work examining how to achieve 100% renewable energy. The authors argue that a quick transition – with 80% of all energy from clean sources by 2030 and 100% by 2035-2050 – may be necessary to avoid severe climate change and prevent millions of deaths from air pollution each year.
The researchers also compared firebricks to other ways of storing heat energy, such as using molten salt or materials that change from solid to liquid when heated. They found that firebricks have some advantages, like lower cost and the ability to reach higher temperatures. However, other methods might work better in certain situations.
Scientists are also working on improving firebricks and developing new materials for storing heat. Some researchers are exploring ways to make firebricks that can store even more heat or lose less heat over time. Others are looking at completely new materials, like special ceramics or metal alloys, that might store heat even more efficiently than current firebricks.
As countries and industries look for ways to reduce their carbon emissions, technologies like firebrick storage could play a crucial role in balancing the supply of renewable energy with the demand for industrial heat. The study’s findings suggest that more research and development in this area could bring significant benefits for both fighting climate change and making clean energy transitions more affordable.
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