Found Energy Tests Aluminum as Zero-Carbon Fuel

Found Energy, a Boston-based startup, is advancing a groundbreaking technology to use aluminum as a zero-carbon fuel. The company has developed an aluminum-powered engine that converts aluminum scrap into energy, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for industrial processes.

The engine, claimed to be the largest aluminum-water reactor ever built, will undergo real-world testing at a tool manufacturing facility in the southeastern United States. The plant will utilize its own aluminum waste to produce heat and hydrogen, demonstrating the potential of this technology to reduce industrial emissions.

How Aluminum Fuel Works

The process involves using a catalyst to release the energy stored in aluminum. This energy can be harnessed to power industrial heating systems, which are currently responsible for a significant portion of global energy demand and emissions.

If successful, this innovation could transform aluminum scrap into a valuable resource for clean energy production, addressing both waste management and carbon reduction goals.

Rondo Energy’s Thermal Battery

In parallel, Rondo Energy has introduced what it claims is the world’s largest thermal battery. This system absorbs electricity and stores it as heat in inexpensive materials like bricks, providing a consistent energy source for industrial applications or electricity generation.

Thermal batteries have the potential to significantly reduce emissions, as approximately 20% of global energy demand is for industrial heating, which is primarily powered by fossil fuels. However, Rondo Energy’s current use of the battery for enhanced oil recovery has drawn criticism for extending the lifespan of polluting infrastructure.

The Future of Zero-Carbon Fuel

Found Energy’s aluminum fuel technology and Rondo Energy’s thermal battery represent two innovative approaches to decarbonizing industrial processes. While both technologies are still in early stages, they offer promising solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the transition to a cleaner energy system.

As these technologies are tested and refined, they could play a crucial role in achieving global climate goals by providing scalable and sustainable alternatives to traditional energy sources.