The path to a clean energy future: with sun and wind, iron and salt

The path to a clean energy future: with sun and wind, iron and salt

Statement by Jakob Bitner, Co-founder and CEO VoltStorage

Light and shadow – that is one way to describe what is currently happening in terms of political decisions and pivotal moments in Germany. On the one hand, we see the Solar Package 1 (“Solarpaket 1”) for promoting solar expansion coinciding with the agreement on a weakened climate action law. At the same time, the anniversary of the nuclear phase-out in Germany reminds us of how irreversible the path towards genuine climate action and comprehensive energy transition has become. And that is a good thing.

While politics grapples with a clear direction, the economy sends much clearer signals: a rising interest from investors and financial institutions in cleantech and future technologies, as I experienced at many events – most recently at the Energy Tech Summit in Bilbao in early April. In contrast, capital for fossil or nuclear technologies is being withdrawn or no longer being deployed – just look at the financing gap for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Great Britain.

It is more than just a passing trend. It reflects a profound shift in priorities. The commitment to renewable energy and sustainable technologies is evidence that an increasing portion of the financial sector takes its role in climate action seriously and prepares for a low-carbon or even net-zero future.

On the anniversary of the nuclear phase-out comes the promotion program for renewables

Now, we are faced with a unique opportunity to make the energy transition clean and efficient by leveraging the power of innovation. Wind and solar energy offer a promising alternative to nuclear power and fossil fuels. They are clean, unlimitedly available, and do not produce any harmful emissions. So, the focus must clearly be to further expand and optimize these renewable energy sources.

However, to fully integrate them into the energy system and make them baseload-capable for the grid, some challenges need to be addressed. Long-duration energy storage (LDES) plays a crucial role in storing excess energy on a large scale, releasing it when needed, and thus making the supply from renewables baseload-capable. Also, it requires intelligent grid expansion to efficiently transport and distribute the generated energy.

Battery raw materials and the supply chain issue

Another important aspect of transitioning to renewable energy is raw materials and the associated supply chain. When it comes to battery storage, it is crucial to find sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, as only then will the energy supply truly be sustainable.

The Iron Salt Battery developed by VoltStorage is based on proven redox flow technology and offers a promising option here. Unlike other battery technologies, it is not only more efficient but also more environmentally friendly. The raw materials needed for this battery are widely available in massive quantities, minimizing potential supply chain bottlenecks. Moreover, its main materials are fully recyclable, leading to a significantly reduced environmental impact. Choosing it is therefore not only sensible from a technical perspective but also from an ecological one. It provides a sustainable solution for storing renewable energy and helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

We have already proven that we can bring about significant changes. Now is the time to harness this momentum and collectively create a future where clean energy is a given, and protecting our planet is paramount.

(Photo: Nuno Marques, Unsplash)