Project approval FIRES

The FIRES (‘Flexible Iron Redox Energy Storage’) research project was officially approved at the end of June. The aim of the project, which will start on 1 October 2025, is to develop an innovative storage technology that has the potential to fundamentally change our energy system and decisively support the transition to renewable energy sources.

As part of FIRES, iron oxide is reduced using hydrogen. This allows energy to be stored safely and without loss. When required, the energy is released again through a reaction with water vapour, producing high-purity hydrogen.

An interdisciplinary consortium of experts from the fields of iron oxide production, plant engineering, energy management and, of course, simulation are working together to establish this promising technology in Austria and solve the major challenges involved in developing a new energy source.

On the one hand, dwh GmbH will digitally model the chemical and physical processes within the complex structures of the energy carrier and, on the other, the production plant in order to make the charging process more efficient and repeatable.

The aim of the project is to develop a modular storage system. CEET’s expertise in the use of metal oxides as oxygen carriers in fixed-bed processes will be incorporated in a highly effective way.

International research activities show: Austria as a business location can also benefit from the development of such technologies.

The project is being carried out in co-operation with the following partners: Energie Agentur Steiermark gGmbH, KELAG-Kärntner Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft, Lanexess Deutschland GmbH, FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft, Inteco Melting and Casting Technologies GmbH, Graz University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Process Engineering and Environmental Technology

Cover picture was created with the assistance of DALL-E.