Missing Link in Local Energy Systems
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- Written by: Claude (AI) as directed by John Burke
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Iron-Salt Batteries: The Missing Link in Local Energy Systems
Upgrading CHP Infrastructure for True Energy Independence
The UK's energy strategy has taken a perplexing turn. Despite proven examples of efficient local energy systems like Islington's Bunhill Heat Network and Southampton's geothermal-CHP evolution, policy continues to favour centralized mega-projects that burden consumers while benefiting developers. However, emerging iron-salt battery technology from Germany offers a pathway to complete the distributed energy puzzle that has been decades in the making.
The Distributed Energy Vision
Local Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems represent energy efficiency at its most practical. By generating electricity where it's needed and capturing waste heat for productive use, CHP eliminates the 60-70% energy losses typical of centralized power generation and transmission. The Bunhill Heat Network exemplifies this approach, combining CHP with waste heat recovery from London Underground ventilation systems to create a truly integrated local energy ecosystem.
Southampton's evolution from geothermal heating to comprehensive CHP district systems demonstrates how local energy infrastructure develops organically, building on existing assets rather than requiring massive upfront investments in entirely new systems.
The Storage Gap
Despite their efficiency advantages, local CHP systems have traditionally lacked one crucial component: long-duration energy storage. While CHP provides reliable baseload power, the integration of local renewables - rooftop solar, small wind systems - creates variable generation that needs to be balanced over extended periods.
Lithium batteries, with their fire risks, degradation issues, and 8-10 year lifespans, are poorly suited to the multi-decade service life expected from CHP infrastructure. What local energy systems need is storage technology that matches the durability, safety, and economic profile of the CHP plants themselves.
Enter Iron-Salt Battery Technology
German companies like VoltStorage and research institutions including Fraunhofer UMSICHT have developed iron-salt battery systems that fill this exact gap. These systems use abundant materials - iron, salt, and water - to provide Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) with remarkable characteristics:
Environmental Policy
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- Written by: J C Burke
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AI As a Reflective Tool
Based upon our own areas of expertise and the frustrations of the Agenda driven Politicalised policies of NET Zero (see our article from 2 years ago), The Assumpitons that Net Zero is ham-strung by (December 2024 Article), Decarbonisation and Carbon Capture (which stemmed from a question from our recent Investment contact). We decided to test Artificial Intelligent {AI} to assist us with its deep research caperbilities to consider how to CHANGE THE NARRATVE (Of the Politics of Climate Change Agenda).
Below is the extrememly promissing interplay of our detailed & precise questioning and the reactions, responses and general "excitement" delivered by this phemoninal research tool!
Our Opening Questions - Nice and Simple.
""'waste reduction' across all resources, from electricity generation to excess packaging must be a far better set of objectives than the catchall slogan "Decarbonization" - whose validity and misleading strategy we will discuss later."" End of initial question:
[Please Note Regarding Energy Flow Chart: data from 2023 - 2024 will be available after 31st July 2025 - Department of Energy and Net Zero.] We are unsure as to why the Dept Energy & Net Zero should take 8 months to gather this data - so here is the USA version - which is very simialar in structure {Click HERE to see USA Chart - in a not so attactive format}
AI Responce:
You raise an interesting strategic point about framing environmental policy. "Waste reduction" as a framework does have several compelling advantages over "decarbonization" as an organizing principle.
The waste reduction approach naturally encompasses a broader spectrum of environmental benefits - reducing material waste addresses resource depletion, pollution, and often carbon emissions simultaneously. When you minimize packaging, for instance, you're cutting material extraction, manufacturing energy, transportation fuel, and disposal costs all at once. Similarly, improving electrical efficiency reduces both carbon emissions and the need for additional power infrastructure.
From a political and economic standpoint, waste reduction often aligns more naturally with cost savings and efficiency gains that businesses and consumers can readily understand. Companies are generally motivated to reduce waste because it directly impacts their bottom line, whereas carbon reduction can sometimes feel like an additional cost or constraint.
The waste framework also avoids some of the polarization that has grown around climate terminology. It's harder to argue against eliminating inefficiency and waste than it is to debate the urgency of carbon targets.
However, the decarbonization focus does serve some purposes that waste reduction alone might not capture - particularly the time-sensitive nature of atmospheric carbon concentrations and the need for coordinated global action on that specific metric.
What specific aspects of current decarbonization strategies do you find most problematic or misleading? And do you see waste reduction as completely replacing carbon-focused approaches, or as a more effective entry point that could eventually encompass carbon goals?
H2 - Strategic Talking Points
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FT Hydrogen Summit: Strategic Talking Points: Core Message Framework
"I'm not anti-hydrogen - I'm pro-sequencing. Biomethane CHP is the intelligent bridge to hydrogen fuel cells. Why waste 15-20 years when we can deploy 90% efficiency systems today and transition to H2 fuel cells when they're genuinely ready?"
Primary Elevator Pitch (60 seconds)
*"I'm here because I believe in hydrogen's future - but through fuel cells, not current electrolysis systems. The intelligent pathway is biomethane CHP as the immediate bridge solution. We're literally flaring waste biomethane while debating green hydrogen infrastructure.
My specialty is Combined Heat and Power systems using biomethane - 90% efficiency available today. I'm developing a £50m care home portfolio that proves this concept. In 15-20 years, when hydrogen fuel cells achieve 50-60% efficiency, we can transition. But meanwhile, we're capturing waste energy that's currently lost. The UK has successful CHP installations in Islington, Southampton, and Woking proving this bridge strategy works now."*
Key Statistical Ammunition
- Current hydrogen electrolysis: 25-35% efficiency vs Biomethane CHP: 80-90% efficiency
- Future hydrogen fuel cells: 50-60% efficiency (15-20 years) vs CHP available now: 80-90%
- UK transmission losses: 8-10% annually vs Local CHP: Zero transmission losses
- Hydrogen infrastructure cost: £100+ billion vs CHP leveraging existing gas grid + biomethane: Fraction of the cost
- Timeline: Green hydrogen commercial viability 2030+ vs Biomethane CHP deployment: Immediate
- Waste biomethane: Currently flared or released vs CHP utilization: Captures waste energy streams
SEE Director as VIP Guest - Hydrogen Summit
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Why the HYDROGEN Summit is Important:
Having attended the World Bio-Gas Summit at the NEC, last year it is important to keep all viable innovative options open. Whilst a big fan of Bio-Methane, we are interested to hear about Hydrogen as a fuel (but presumably not for FUSION just yet!!) Will be attending the World Bio-Gas Summit this year too [9th-10th July 2025 - Birmingham NEC]
FT Sponsored Summit:
24th June 2025; Marriott Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K 6JP
Hear from 50+ CEOs, energy innovators, policymakers and financiers
- Explore practical hydrogen solutions that are moving from ambition to execution—addressing cost, efficiency, and real-world scalability.
- Delve into the global hydrogen landscape and dive into regional insights from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
- Unlock strategies and financial mechanisms needed to de-risk hydrogen projects, secure long-term offtake agreements, and accelerate Final Investment Decision.
Meet 250+ hydrogen pioneers under one roof
- Access exclusive delegate matchmaking with C-suite leaders via the FT Live app—ensuring high-impact connections.
- With 75% of attendees holding senior job titles, this is where the industry’s most influential leaders connect.
- In an intimate setting, build business-critical relationships and kick start new business deals.
A one-day strategic agenda on transitioning from hype to realism
- Focused debates and case studies will explore hydrogen s real-world applications including success’ and setbacks.
- Spend less time out of the office and walk away with the knowledge and clarity needed to future proof your strategy.
- Moderated by senior FT journalists to cut through the jargon and bring you realistic opinions.
What’s new for the Hydrogen Summit in 2025 Watch on demand
- Hydrogen vs. Electrification Debate: A first-time discussion on where hydrogen fits in the future energy mix.
- Success & Failure Case Studies: Learn from real-world project successes and mistakes.
- Expanded Global Focus: Insights from Africa, the Middle East & Southeast Asia, alongside Europe & North America.
- Dedicated Financing Discussions: New panels on addressing bankability, securing offtake agreements, and exploring alternative & blended funding models.
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