Diagram of magnesium energy cycle (drawn by YABE Takashi, Nikkei Science)
The current “energy currency” is electricity. The electricity can be distributed through power grids and it can be used for many purposes such as generation of heat, motion and lighting. Hydrogen was generally considered to be a possible energy currency in the future. But what our group is considering as the next-generation energy currency is metal, which is the same as the monetary currency. Namely, it is magnesium, which is lighter than aluminum with white silver glitter.
Seawater contains abundant Magnesium, approximately 1,800 trillion tons. Magnesium can be smelted with “solar-pumped laser” and used for fuel of automobiles and powerplants. Solar-pumped laser regenerates metal Magnesium from generated Magnesium oxide.
A low-cost desalination device with solar-power is used to extract Magnesium from seawater. It will be a promising solution for the global water shortage.
Related Information
How does this compare to Hydrogen as far as extraction costs? I am not too familiar with this source of energy, but it is quite interesting. Thanks for the post!
[...] YouTubeで「マグネシウム循環社会」の解説動画を公開しました。エネルギー通貨としてのマグネシウムの利点、そして太陽光励起レーザーの発振、マグネシウムエンジンの実験風景などを [...]
how much did all these process cost? are there any funding mechanisms?
Thank you for your comment.
Pegasos Electra handles business of desalination apparatus. Prof. Yabe is an executive chairman of this company.
Could you visit the following site?
http://www.pegasos-electra.jp/en/index.html