Energy storage - Revision history

RichardWSmith: /* Methane and other hydrocarbon storage */ Use Benzene to move hydrogen from Earth to Mars.

2024-10-11T05:16:00Z

Methane and other hydrocarbon storage: Use Benzene to move hydrogen from Earth to Mars.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:16, 11 October 2024
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	Using methane and oxygen storage, for example, would store about 55 MJ/kg of methane. This would be burned in electrical generators very similar to today's gensets, although the absence of a nitrogen component would probably change the combustion behavior significantly. A large 3,5MW electrical generator masses about 10 000 kg (ref. Caterpillar) including an external cooling array. A solar array providing the same power on Mars would mass about 100 W/kg, or 30 000 kg.		Using methane and oxygen storage, for example, would store about 55 MJ/kg of methane. This would be burned in electrical generators very similar to today's gensets, although the absence of a nitrogen component would probably change the combustion behavior significantly. A large 3,5MW electrical generator masses about 10 000 kg (ref. Caterpillar) including an external cooling array. A solar array providing the same power on Mars would mass about 100 W/kg, or 30 000 kg.

			If you wish to transport [[Hydrogen]] from Earth to Mars (say for building fuel for the return trip), some hydrogen will boil off during the trip. However, [[Benzene]] is a space storable way of transporting hydrogen.

	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==

Michel Lamontagne: /* Methane and other hydrocarbon storage */

2023-04-17T20:34:12Z

Methane and other hydrocarbon storage

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 17 April 2023
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	Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]], such as the German company SolarFuel.<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>		Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]], such as the German company SolarFuel.<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>

			Using methane and oxygen storage, for example, would store about 55 MJ/kg of methane. This would be burned in electrical generators very similar to today's gensets, although the absence of a nitrogen component would probably change the combustion behavior significantly. A large 3,5MW electrical generator masses about 10 000 kg (ref. Caterpillar) including an external cooling array. A solar array providing the same power on Mars would mass about 100 W/kg, or 30 000 kg.

	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==
	A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in use in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.		A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in use in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.

Michel Lamontagne at 00:38, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T00:38:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:38, 7 July 2021
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	Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]], such as the German company SolarFuel.<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>		Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]], such as the German company SolarFuel.<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>
	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==
	A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in ~~house~~ in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.		A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in use in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.

	Heat can be stored in a big block of [[concrete]], which is used to turn [[water]] to steam. The steam powers a turbine that produces [[electricity]] using turbo-alternators. The concrete block has a high heat capacity and can store the heat for many hours. However, the conversion of heat to electrical energy for such a system may be low.		Heat can be stored in a big block of [[concrete]], which is used to turn [[water]] to steam. The steam powers a turbine that produces [[electricity]] using turbo-alternators. The concrete block has a high heat capacity and can store the heat for many hours. However, the conversion of heat to electrical energy for such a system may be low.
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	==Management of production processes (Negawatts)==		==Management of production processes (Negawatts)==
	Another way to reduce energy storage requirements is a sophisticated management of production processes. Energy consuming production processes can be carried out during periods of available energy (e.g. daylight), such as the [[hydrocarbon synthesis\|production of liquid hydrocarbons]] out of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] or food production. At night the exothermic production processes are carried out, such as some [[recycling]] processes.		Another way to reduce energy storage requirements is a sophisticated management of production processes. Energy consuming production processes can be carried out during periods of available energy (e.g. daylight), such as the [[hydrocarbon synthesis\|production of liquid hydrocarbons]] out of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] or food production. At night, the exothermic production processes are carried out, such as some [[recycling]] processes.

	==Other==		==Other==

RichardWSmith: Several changes, gave flow batteries some love.

2021-07-05T22:59:02Z

Several changes, gave flow batteries some love.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:59, 5 July 2021
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	==Chemical storage==		==Chemical storage==
	===Flow battery===		===Flow battery===
	Electrical energy can be stored in a [[flow battery]]. The capacity depends on the size of the tanks and can be easily extended.		Electrical energy can be stored in a [[flow battery]]. The capacity depends on the size of the tanks and can be easily extended. Most batteries can provide power for hours or days. Large flow batteries can provide power for days, weeks, or months (taking a proportional time to charge).

	===Batteries===		===Batteries===
	Batteries can be used for daily power demand but are rather heavy for longer term storage.		Batteries can be used for daily power demand but are rather heavy for longer term storage. High tech batteries would (at first) have to be shipped from Earth. Low tech batteries such as lead acid batteries could be created on Mars. Many flow batteries (see above) are easy to construct, tho the ideal chemistry suited for early Martian development needs to be decided. Modern batteries have a system efficiency of around 95%.

	====== Nickel Iron ======		======Nickel Iron======
	While the [[nickel–iron battery]] is rather heavy, it is very robust and durable, making it a good candidate for a stationary energy storage in a Martian settlement. It does not require complex or poisonous components. It might be a good candidate for local production.		While the [[nickel–iron battery]] is rather heavy, it is very robust and durable, making it a good candidate for a stationary energy storage in a Martian settlement. It does not require complex or poisonous components. It might be a good candidate for local production.

	====== Lithium ion ======		======Lithium ion======
	Lithium ion batteries should be quite mature technologies by the time the Martian settlement is built. Combined with solar power they can provide off peak power and help stabilize a power network.		Lithium ion batteries should be quite mature technologies by the time the Martian settlement is built. Combined with solar power they can provide off peak power and help stabilize a power network.

	===Hydrogen storage===		===Hydrogen storage===
	Hydrogen storage uses [[electrolysis]] to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]		[[Hydrogen]] storage uses [[electrolysis]] to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]

			Hydrogen has a very low volumetric energy density, and hydrogen easily escapes from storage. If it is created, and promptly used, this loss is trivial, it hydrogen is to be stored for a long time, turning it into a compound (such as methane) with a higher volumetric energy density and better storage properties would be wise.

	The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref). If part of the energy is used as heat, then the efficiency can be increased significantly.		The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref). If part of the energy is used as heat, then the efficiency can be increased significantly.

Michel Lamontagne: /* Batteries */

2019-12-10T01:44:13Z

Batteries

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:44, 10 December 2019
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	==Mechanical storage==		==Mechanical storage==

	=== Compressed-air storage ===		===Compressed-air storage===
	[[Compressed-air]] storage has been used since the nineteenth century to store large amounts of energy. Natural Martian [[caves]] can be used as a pressure accumulator or artificial pressure vessels can be viable alternatives. Standard compressed air storage systems have 42% overall efficiency, increasing to 55% if there is heat recovery, as would be likely on Mars.		[[Compressed-air]] storage has been used since the nineteenth century to store large amounts of energy. Natural Martian [[caves]] can be used as a pressure accumulator or artificial pressure vessels can be viable alternatives. Standard compressed air storage systems have 42% overall efficiency, increasing to 55% if there is heat recovery, as would be likely on Mars.

	Adiabatic compression could raise the overall efficiency to 70%, making this a very interesting alternative for colony wide, utility scale energy storage systems<ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies</ref>.		Adiabatic compression could raise the overall efficiency to 70%, making this a very interesting alternative for colony wide, utility scale energy storage systems<ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies</ref>.

	=== Gravity storage ===		===Gravity storage===
	Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or lifted storage. In pumped storage, a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can then flow when energy demand exceeds supply, generating electricity.		Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or lifted storage. In pumped storage, a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can then flow when energy demand exceeds supply, generating electricity. Efficiencies are good, reaching up to 70-80% in large systems.

	Various systems lifting weight have been considered but no significant installations are in use today. Proposals include moving masses up a rail on a slope or moving a large massive cylinder. Since Mars has lower gravity than Earth, ~~the~~ less energy can be stored with the same height displacement ~~as can be in Earth systems~~.		Various systems lifting weight have been considered but no significant installations are in use today. Proposals include moving masses up a rail on a slope or moving a large massive cylinder. Since Mars has lower gravity than Earth, less energy can be stored with the same height displacement.

	=== Kinetic storage ===		===Kinetic storage===
	Flywheels can be used for short term high intensity energy storage. Requirements for sophisticated materials and controls make these unlikely as short or mid-term solutions.		Flywheels can be used for short term high intensity energy storage. Requirements for sophisticated materials and controls make these unlikely as short or mid-term solutions.

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	===Batteries===		===Batteries===
	~~Nickel Iron~~		Batteries can be used for daily power demand but are rather heavy for longer term storage.

	While the [[nickel–iron battery]] is rather heavy, it is very robust and durable, making it a good candidate for a stationary energy storage in a Martian settlement. It does not require poisonous ~~substances~~.		====== Nickel Iron ======
			While the [[nickel–iron battery]] is rather heavy, it is very robust and durable, making it a good candidate for a stationary energy storage in a Martian settlement. It does not require complex or poisonous components. It might be a good candidate for local production.

	Lithium ion		====== Lithium ion ======
			Lithium ion batteries should be quite mature technologies by the time the Martian settlement is built. Combined with solar power they can provide off peak power and help stabilize a power network.

	===Hydrogen storage===		===Hydrogen storage===
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	==Capacitors and superconducting magnets storage==		==Capacitors and superconducting magnets storage==

	==Management of production processes==		==Management of production processes (Negawatts)==
	Another way to reduce energy storage requirements is a sophisticated management of production processes. Energy consuming production processes can be carried out during periods of available energy (e.g. daylight), such as the [[hydrocarbon synthesis\|production of liquid hydrocarbons]] out of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] or food production. At night the exothermic production processes are carried out, such as some [[recycling]] processes.		Another way to reduce energy storage requirements is a sophisticated management of production processes. Energy consuming production processes can be carried out during periods of available energy (e.g. daylight), such as the [[hydrocarbon synthesis\|production of liquid hydrocarbons]] out of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] or food production. At night the exothermic production processes are carried out, such as some [[recycling]] processes.

CZMatt: Copyedit, did some reorganization.

2019-12-09T00:31:10Z

Copyedit, did some reorganization.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:31, 9 December 2019
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	~~The availability~~ of [[energy]] is one of the vital requirements for a [[settlement]] on [[Mars]]. [[solar panel\|Solar power]] and [[wind turbine]]s are subject to changing weather conditions, especially during the Martian night, which makes '''energy storage''' necessary. Energy storage [[Settlement facilities\|facilities]] may be local or distributed~~. They~~ are part of the overall [[Settlement systems\|energy distribution system]] of the settlement.		Availability of [[energy]] is one of the vital requirements for a [[settlement]] on [[Mars]]. [[solar panel\|Solar power]] and [[wind turbine]]s are subject to changing weather conditions, especially during the Martian night or dust storms, which makes '''energy storage''' necessary. Energy storage [[Settlement facilities\|facilities]] may be local or distributed and are part of the overall [[Settlement systems\|energy distribution system]] of the settlement.

	~~However~~, ~~having production follow availability can~~ reduce the ~~need for~~ energy ~~storage significantly~~. ~~Insulation~~ can ~~reduce heat loss during the night with~~ active day cooling ~~while~~ agricultural and industrial ~~production can~~ be ~~stopped or significantly reduced at night. This follows~~ the ~~natural cycles than humans~~ and ~~plants that have evolved for exactly these circumstances~~.		It is important to note that before energy storage is considered, it should always be priority to reduce energy needs in the first place and best match the time of peak energy consumption to the time of peak energy production. Enclosed spaces can use heavier insulation and active day cooling to better regulate temperatures, and agricultural and industrial processes may be actively altered to match the current energy production and biologic drives to work during the day.

	[[Nuclear power]] ~~has been~~ considered as the preferred energy source for most plans for medium- to long-term human expeditions to Mars. However, ~~this~~ may be a difficult option for an [[autonomous colony]] due to the vast effort of the nuclear enrichment process.		[[Nuclear power]] is often considered the preferred energy source for most plans for medium-to-long-term human expeditions to Mars. However, it may be a difficult option for an [[autonomous colony]] due to the vast effort of the nuclear enrichment process.

	==Compressed-air storage==		==Mechanical storage==

			=== Compressed-air storage ===
	[[Compressed-air]] storage has been used since the nineteenth century to store large amounts of energy. Natural Martian [[caves]] can be used as a pressure accumulator or artificial pressure vessels can be viable alternatives. Standard compressed air storage systems have 42% overall efficiency, increasing to 55% if there is heat recovery, as would be likely on Mars.		[[Compressed-air]] storage has been used since the nineteenth century to store large amounts of energy. Natural Martian [[caves]] can be used as a pressure accumulator or artificial pressure vessels can be viable alternatives. Standard compressed air storage systems have 42% overall efficiency, increasing to 55% if there is heat recovery, as would be likely on Mars.

	Adiabatic compression could raise the overall efficiency to 70%, making this a very interesting alternative for colony wide, utility scale energy storage systems<ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies</ref>.		Adiabatic compression could raise the overall efficiency to 70%, making this a very interesting alternative for colony wide, utility scale energy storage systems<ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies</ref>.

			=== Gravity storage ===
			Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or lifted storage. In pumped storage, a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can then flow when energy demand exceeds supply, generating electricity.

			Various systems lifting weight have been considered but no significant installations are in use today. Proposals include moving masses up a rail on a slope or moving a large massive cylinder. Since Mars has lower gravity than Earth, the less energy can be stored with the same height displacement as can be in Earth systems.

			=== Kinetic storage ===
			Flywheels can be used for short term high intensity energy storage. Requirements for sophisticated materials and controls make these unlikely as short or mid-term solutions.

	==Chemical storage==		==Chemical storage==
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	The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref). If part of the energy is used as heat, then the efficiency can be increased significantly.		The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref). If part of the energy is used as heat, then the efficiency can be increased significantly.

	===Methane and other ~~hydrocarbons~~ storage===		===Methane and other hydrocarbon storage===
	[[Hydrocarbons]] have a significant amount of inherent energy, which can be used as stored energy. Excess electric energy can be used to produce hydrocarbons out of [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. The hydrocarbons can be stored in large tanks. In periods of energy deficiency the hydrocarbons can be oxidized to produce heat or [[electricity]] . The heat can be produced by a boiler or furnace, and the electricity using a ~~electrical generator~~ or [[fuel cell\|fuel cells]]. [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] are the reaction products. Since propellant production is a large part of the activities on a Mars settlement, there should always be large quantities of hydrocarbons, mainly methane, available. Overall efficiencies should be about 70% for heating and 30% for electricity.		[[Hydrocarbons]] have a significant amount of inherent energy, which can be used as stored energy. Excess electric energy can be used to produce hydrocarbons out of [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. The hydrocarbons can be stored in large tanks. In periods of energy deficiency the hydrocarbons can be oxidized to produce heat or [[electricity]]. The heat can be produced by a boiler or furnace, and the electricity using a dynamo or [[fuel cell\|fuel cells]], in which [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] are the reaction products. Since propellant production is a large part of the activities on a Mars settlement, there should always be large quantities of hydrocarbons, mainly methane, available. Overall efficiencies should be about 70% for heating and 30% for electricity.

	~~Some companies have already developed the technology~~ to ~~store excess electricity in~~ [[~~methane~~]].~~<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>~~		Alternatively, hydrocarbons can be used to operate an [[internal combustion engine]] if an oxidizer is provided. This would allow for convenient vehicular energy production or quick deployment for other mechanical devices, such as dynamos, pumps, or excavators.

	~~==Gravity storage==~~
	~~Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage~~ or of lifted storage. In pumped storage a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can latter flow down through the system to generate electricity.

	~~Various systems lifting weight have been projected but no significant installations are in use today. Moving masses up a rail on a slope~~, or ~~moving a large massive cylinder are both been proposed. Since Mars has lower gravity than on Earth, the energy stored will be lower than for equivalent systems on Earth~~.

			Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]], such as the German company SolarFuel.<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>
	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==
	A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in house in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.		A substantial amount of energy is required for heating the settlement [[building]]s and [[greenhouse]]s. Materials with a high heat capacity inside of buildings, combined with an excellent [[insulation]] on the outside, help to keep the inside warm during the night. It may be advantageous to use artificially lit greenhouses, rather than try to compensate for the night time heat loss of greenhouses. Alternatively mobile insulation systems, already in house in Earth greenhouses, might be developed for Mars.
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	A more refined form for this type of storage is available as Pumped Heat Electrical Storage <ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/technologies/pumped-heat-electrical-storage-phes</ref>. These installation can used steel tanks and an inert gas such as argon as working medium, storing energy with an efficiency of 75 to 80%. A reversible compressor is used to both compress the working fluid and to extract the energy from the expanding gas. The use of materials readily available on Mars make this an attractive storage solution.		A more refined form for this type of storage is available as Pumped Heat Electrical Storage <ref>http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/technologies/pumped-heat-electrical-storage-phes</ref>. These installation can used steel tanks and an inert gas such as argon as working medium, storing energy with an efficiency of 75 to 80%. A reversible compressor is used to both compress the working fluid and to extract the energy from the expanding gas. The use of materials readily available on Mars make this an attractive storage solution.

	~~==Kinetic storage==~~
	~~Flywheels are used for short term high intensity energy storage. Requirements for sophisticated materials and controls make these unlikely as short or mid term solutions.~~

	==Capacitors and superconducting magnets storage==		==Capacitors and superconducting magnets storage==

Michel Lamontagne at 17:28, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T17:28:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 30 July 2019
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	Hydrogen storage uses [[electrolysis]] to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]		Hydrogen storage uses [[electrolysis]] to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]

	The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref).		The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref). If part of the energy is used as heat, then the efficiency can be increased significantly.

	===Methane and other hydrocarbons storage===		===Methane and other hydrocarbons storage===
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	==Gravity storage==		==Gravity storage==
	Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or of lifted storage. In pumped storage a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can latter flow down through the system to generate electricity.		Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or of lifted storage. In pumped storage a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can latter flow down through the system to generate electricity.

			Various systems lifting weight have been projected but no significant installations are in use today. Moving masses up a rail on a slope, or moving a large massive cylinder are both been proposed. Since Mars has lower gravity than on Earth, the energy stored will be lower than for equivalent systems on Earth.

	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==

Michel Lamontagne: /* Gravity storage */

2019-07-30T17:25:53Z

Gravity storage

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 30 July 2019
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	==Gravity storage==		==Gravity storage==
			Gravity storage can take the form of pumped storage or of lifted storage. In pumped storage a reversible pump/generator is used to pump water form a lower point to a higher point when energy is available. Water can latter flow down through the system to generate electricity.

	==Thermal storage==		==Thermal storage==

Michel Lamontagne at 14:11, 25 July 2019

2019-07-25T14:11:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 25 July 2019
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	===Hydrogen storage===		===Hydrogen storage===
	Hydrogen storage uses electrolysis to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]		Hydrogen storage uses [[electrolysis]] to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then recombining them in fuel cells to produce electrical energy. Overall system efficiency is about 40%.[http://energystorage.org/energy-storage/energy-storage-technologies]

	The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref).		The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref).

Michel Lamontagne: /* Methane and other hydrocabons storage */

2019-07-25T14:10:44Z

Methane and other hydrocabons storage

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 25 July 2019
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	The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref).		The storage of energy as hydrogen in the natural gas distribution system of Europe has been studied(ref).

	===Methane and other ~~hydrocabons~~ storage===		===Methane and other hydrocarbons storage===
	[[Hydrocarbons]] have a significant amount of inherent energy, which can be used as stored energy. Excess electric energy can be used to produce hydrocarbons out of [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. The hydrocarbons can be stored in large tanks. In periods of energy deficiency the hydrocarbons can be oxidized to produce heat ~~(heating station)~~ or [[electricity]] ([[fuel cell]]~~), with~~ [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] as reaction products.		[[Hydrocarbons]] have a significant amount of inherent energy, which can be used as stored energy. Excess electric energy can be used to produce hydrocarbons out of [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. The hydrocarbons can be stored in large tanks. In periods of energy deficiency the hydrocarbons can be oxidized to produce heat or [[electricity]] . The heat can be produced by a boiler or furnace, and the electricity using a electrical generator or [[fuel cell\|fuel cells]]. [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] are the reaction products. Since propellant production is a large part of the activities on a Mars settlement, there should always be large quantities of hydrocarbons, mainly methane, available. Overall efficiencies should be about 70% for heating and 30% for electricity.

	Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]].<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>		Some companies have already developed the technology to store excess electricity in [[methane]].<ref>[http://www.solar-fuel.net/ Solar Fuel]</ref>