Metals and hydrogen derivatives for long-distance energy supply–A techno-economic comparison

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Renewable energy carriers that are easy to transport and store are a key component of transnational energy trade in the global energy transition. This study compares six different energy carriers for long-distance energy supply; encompassing hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and synthetic methane, and, notably, metal fuels – specifically iron and aluminum. Drawing upon extensive techno-economic analyses spanning the entire energy supply chain, aluminum and iron emerge as particularly promising options for long-distance energy supply due to advantageous transport and storage properties combined with moderate conversion costs and the absence of costly intermediates such as carbon dioxide. The inclusion of comprehensive sensitivity analyses provides valuable insights into the suitability of these energy carriers for the transport and storage of renewable energy, further contributing to the understanding of their role in transforming the global energy landscape.