Ersoy, HüseyinBaumann, Manuel J.Jasper, Friedrich B.Wulf, ChristinaWeil, MarcelRamos, Tomás B.Passerini, Stefano2026-05-262026-05-262026-04-281864-5631PURE: 163665466PURE UUID: 104e6011-319e-42b0-81a5-d847b453d46bScopus: 105036138859PubMed: 42002300WOS: 001755734300050http://hdl.handle.net/10362/203423Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.The transition toward a decarbonized energy system requires long-term energy storage (LTES) solutions capable of complementing hydrogen-based technologies. This study presents an exploratory life cycle assessment (LCA) of a primary aluminum–air battery (AAB) system as a prospective solid-state LTES option, benchmarked against gaseous hydrogen (GH2) with underground storage and liquid hydrogen (LH2) with cryogenic tank. The AAB is evaluated under current and prospective aluminum production scenarios across different geographic contexts, and is benchmarked against alternatives using identical supply chain and use-phase assumptions. AAB system achieves round-trip efficiencies of 29–35%, exceeding GH2 and LH2 by at least 2% and 10%, respectively. Consequently, GH2 outperforms AAB across all categories on a cradle-to-use basis only thanks to underground storage, while AAB showing competitive performance it performs better than LH2 in global warming potential (GWP100) impact category. The conducted uncertainty analysis reveals that AAB might outperform H2 in GWP and eutrophication potential (freshwater) under favorable conditions. Overall, the findings highlight trade-offs realizing climate benefits while mitigating resource and ecosystem impacts. Advancing low-carbon smelting, material circularity, optimized logistics, and durable low-impact components will be essential for enabling AAB to serve as a sustainable complement or partial substitute for hydrogen-based LTES in future low-carbon energy systems.5546717engaluminum–air batteryLCAlong-term energy storagemetal fuelspower-to-metalEnvironmental ChemistryGeneral Chemical EngineeringGeneral Materials ScienceGeneral EnergySDG 7 - Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13 - Climate ActionSDG 15 - Life on Landjournal article10.1002/cssc.202502714https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105036138859