Thermochemical energy storage

The group has been working on thermochemical storage of solar energy in concentrating solar power plants using the reversible carbonation-calcination reaction (CO₃Ca-CaO). Research is also being carried out on thermochemical storage by direct combustion of metals at high temperature and their reaction with oxygen naturally present in the air. Iron can serve as an 'energy carrier', with the obvious advantage of not producing CO₂ in its oxidation and instead generating a regenerable oxide through various reduction processes with H₂ or electrochemical processes involving energy from a renewable source.