Phinergy is an Israeli startup that promises high energy density energy storage systems, coupling zero emissions with light weight and great range in vehicle use. The company’s technology is similar to that of another Israeli firm, Alydro, reported here last year, and to the use of aluminum beverage can pull tabs, water and vinegar by a Spanish teacher and student demonstrated at the model car level. While Alydro does not seem to have shown a working model, Phinergy is demonstrating its technology in a small vehicle, sharing it all in an interview with Bloomberg Television. (Video updated June 28, 2017) Phinergy explains its unique technology. “Unlike conventional batteries that carry oxygen, these batteries freely breathe oxygen from the ambient air to release the energy contained in metals.” In aluminum’s case, that energy amounts to 8 kilowatt-hours per kilogram. Since the best lithium ion batteries might currently achieve 200 Watt-hours per kilogram, the aluminum battery could show 40 times the energy …
Replacing Gasoline with Aluminum?
Several researchers in commercial, government, and academic realms are studying the possibility of using aluminum as an energy source for vehicles and even grid power. In the commercial realm, Alchemy Research in Israel makes the following rather startling claims. “Alydro is a new technology developed by Alchemy Research for producing clean energy from a reaction of aluminum and water at elevated temperatures. “Alydro generates energy in the form of hydrogen and heat. The only by-product is fully recyclable aluminum oxide. “Alydro is competitive with gasoline on energy density and affordability. It is superior to gasoline on sustainability, environmental characteristics and safety.” Alchemy Research claims that aluminum has 2.5 times the energy density of gasoline, about 84 mega Joules per liter or 23.3 kilowatt hours. Aluminum has about 8.6 kilowatt hours per kilogram, considerably more energy dense than lithium batteries, which range from 120 to 190 Watt-hours per kilogram. Storage takes less space than its equivalent in gasoline and the material is perfectly …