Iron Powder: A Sustainable Solution for Energy Storage, Developed by Professor Philip de Goey

Philip de Goey. Image: IOplus / Philip de Goey

(IN BRIEF) Professor Philip de Goey of Eindhoven University of Technology has pioneered the development of iron powder as a sustainable energy carrier. This innovation allows energy from renewable sources to be stored safely and reused efficiently, offering a new way to tackle energy storage with minimal environmental impact. After years of research and successful trials, including industrial applications, De Goey’s technology is gaining momentum. His company, Metalot, is now expanding into a new energy campus, promising further advancements in this groundbreaking field.

(PRESS RELEASE) EINDHOVEN, 15-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In the latest edition of the Innovation Maestros series, Professor Philip de Goey from Eindhoven University of Technology discussed his groundbreaking work on iron powder as a sustainable energy storage solution. Known for its potential in transforming the energy sector, iron powder offers a novel way to store and release energy in a circular and eco-friendly manner. This material, which behaves like a sustainable battery, stores energy derived from renewable sources like wind and solar. When burned, it releases energy as heat, leaving only rust behind – a reusable form of “waste.”

Professor de Goey, a key figure in this development, has been working on iron powder as an energy carrier for over 15 years. Initially focusing on alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ethanol, de Goey’s perspective shifted during his involvement in the international ESA project Perwaves. A zero-gravity experiment, conducted at an altitude of 260 km, led to the realization that iron powder could be a practical and safer alternative to hydrogen for large-scale energy storage.

Iron powder, which does not emit CO₂ during combustion, is non-explosive, recyclable, and can be transported safely. As the professor explains, iron powder can be reused countless times with minimal raw material loss. De Goey’s invention also includes an innovative burner design, Iconic, which ensures the efficient and clean combustion of iron powder.

Since 2020, De Goey has been leading several successful projects using this technology, including a 100 kW system at Swinkels Brewery, which marked the first successful industrial application. A larger and improved 1 MW system followed in 2023, and De Goey continues to expand the technology’s use, including district heating and tackling grid congestion with the concept of “holons” — closed energy systems where iron powder is produced and consumed locally.

Exciting developments are underway as De Goey’s company, Metalot, is set to move into a new energy campus in Maarheeze, where they will continue to innovate and scale up iron powder technology. This move signals a new chapter for the energy sector, promising a sustainable and secure energy future.

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SOURCE: IOplus / Elcke Vels / TU/e