Iron as energy carrier in a carbon-free circular energy economy

Niklas Kolorz reports on Clean Circles on YouTube

60,000 CPU cores, 563 terabytes of main memory (RAM) and millions of simulated iron particles. The Lichtenberg II supercomputer at TU Darmstadt's high-performance computing center works diligently on the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow – always accompanied by the steady whirring of the cooling system.

Poster sessions, discussions, talks and teamwork

The annual Clean Circles retreat took place in Weinheim on 6 March 2024. During the retreat, the researchers presented and discussed the status of the project and iron as an energy carrier.

Clean Circles at the HIGHEST Club on 7 March 2024

On 7 March 2024, we presented our concept of energy storage in iron and its socio-economic perspective at the HIGHEST Club evening.

Postdocs and PhD students invited to visit Clean Circles

Multifaceted perspectives on energy and sustainability: Clean Circles has for the first time invited R1/2 researchers to leverage the potential of a diverse and interconnected research community at the Clean Circles International Forum on Energy and Circular Economy.

Researchers and policymaking professionals from the European Commission discuss technological potential and challenges

Researchers from Rhine-Main Universities and policymaking professionals from the European Commission held two panel discussions on key technologies for the green transition in Brussels. Clean Circles researcher Michèle Knodt presented technologies and solutions for storing energy in iron and releasing it again without emitting CO2.

New publication in Chemical Engineering Science

The evolution of the particle morphology during dissolution follows three different phases.

New publications investigate the fascinating physics of the so-called discrete mode

Two new publications shed light on the influence of the convection on ignition and flame propagation and the difference to gaseous flames.

New publication in the journal Flow, Turbulence and Combustion

In a new publication by Clean Circles researchers, the processes in a turbulent mixing layer with iron particles are simulated with high fidelity.

Iron as an energy carrier is the topic of the newest video

Jacob Beautemp from the science channel Breaking Lab presents Clean Circles and the concept of iron as an energy carrier in his latest video.

Mini-Symposium of Research Area Reduction Processes

The second Mini-Symposium of Research Area 1 (Reduction Processes) will take place on 15 February 2024.

Clean Circles organizes Workshop on Metal-enabled Cycle of Renewable Energy (MECRE)

The 2nd International MECRE Workshop will be held from 13–15 November 2024 in Darmstadt, Germany.

Mini symposium of Research Area Thermodynamic-mathematical Analysis on 24 July 2023

On 24 July 2023, the second Mini-Symposium of the Research Area Thermodynamic-mathematical Analysis took place. The program featured an insightful talk from Dr. Peter Viebahn and Alexander Jülich, members of the “Sectors and Technologies” research unit at the Wuppertal Institute. Additionally, two presentations from young researchers reflected current advances within the Research Area 2.

Students simulate EU decision-making in Model European Mainz (MEUM) 2023

From 12–15 July 2023, the Clean Circles teams of Prof. Arne Niemann (JGU) and Prof. Michèle Knodt (TUDa) held a simulation at the University of Mainz on the legislative procedure of the European energy transition and its complexities in the European Parliament and Council.

Mini-symposium, Research Area 2

In the Mini-symposium of Research Area 2 on 11 July 2023, alternative metal fuels beyond iron were discussed with guests and researchers from Clean Circles.

Mini symposium of Research Area 4 (Socio-economic Modelling)

Clean Circles researchers together with speakers involved in the policy-making of green energy trade discussed the key debates around Germany's energy transition, the implementation of global energy partnerships and policy implications on 31 May 2023.

Vortrag der Ringvorlesung „Was steckt dahinter?“

Die Energiewende ist aus der öffentlichen Debatte nicht mehr wegzudenken. Grüner Wasserstoff gilt als zentraler Baustein etwa für Anwendungen in der chemischen Energie oder für Flugzeugantriebe. Doch wie kann künftig die große Menge elektrischer Energie bereitgestellt werden, die aktuell noch in Kohlekraftwerken erzeugt wird? Hier bietet sich Eisen an. Das Metall kann als chemischer Energiespeicher in bestehenden Infrastrukturen genutzt werden und fossile Energieträger ersetzen. Im Vortrag wird das Potenzial einer eisenbasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft aufgezeigt und die Komplementarität von Eisen und Wasserstoff als Energieträger diskutiert.