Efficient energy storage is one of the biggest challenges we face in the energy transition. Renewable energy sources provide energy in a different way than coal-fired power plants, and its quantity may vary significantly depending on weather conditions. That is why it is so important to be able to store surplus energy produced, for example, in windy or sunny weather and use it at times of peak demand.
Many technologies have been developed for this purpose. For energy storage, e.g. mechanical systems based on CAES compressed air, pumped storage power plants or batteries can be used. Each of these solutions has certain advantages, but also serious limitations. Hydrogen compares very favorably in this respect. Why is it worth using it as an energy store? What are the benefits of hydrogen energy? We answer these questions in a new article.
Energy storage in hydrogen – how does it work?
Filling the hydrogen energy storage is based on the phenomenon of electrolysis. This occurs as a result of supplying electric current, and as a result of its flow through water, the molecules are broken down into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The opposite process involves combining these particles – combustion. It releases energy, which can then be used to power electrical devices or transferred to the transmission network.
After the electrolysis process, hydrogen can be stored in several ways. For this purpose, tanks are used in which hydrogen is stored in liquid or compressed form. Solid hydrogen containers are also used. Another method is storage in the form of reversible chemical combinations with a high content of this element.
Hydrogen as an energy store – the most important advantages
Compared to other energy storage methods, hydrogen technologies have many advantages. The most important of them are:
- purity: during hydrogen combustion, no compounds harmful to the environment or living organisms are released, and hydrogen itself can be produced in a sustainable way;
- low costs: about 100 times lower than in the case of battery-based electricity storage;
- the possibility of long-term energy storage and the associated great potential for balancing instability in energy supplies from renewable sources;
- high efficiency: specific energy of hydrogen is 33 Wh/g, and the calorific value is 120 MJ/kg;
- no problems with the availability of raw materials – unlike, for example, lithium;
- universality: hydrogen energy can be used both in large industrial installations and for the needs of end users;
- possibility of storing large amounts of energy.
Safe hydrogen storage. How to reduce the risk?
Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas and its storage carries the risk of fire or explosion. To minimize them, it is necessary to apply rigorous safety procedures, ensure adequate ventilation in rooms and use safeguards to detect and prevent leaks.
Another danger is related to the fact that hydrogen is often stored at high pressure. It may lead to leaks and the release of hydrogen. To prevent this, it is necessary to regularly inspect tanks and accessories, as well as use appropriate materials – resistant to high pressure and corrosion.
As you can see, the potential of hydrogen energy is truly enormous. Despite this, as a fuel and energy storage, it still plays a minor role in the energy mix. Its numerous advantages and initiatives such as the Central Hydrogen Valley may change this state of affairs. The latter was initiated by the Świętokrzyska Industrial Group INDUSTRIA and assumes the creation of an open forum of cooperation for entities interested in the development of renewable energy sources and the development of an ecosystem based on the production of green hydrogen.
It is certainly worth following the development of hydrogen energy. Everything indicates that it will play a key role in the energy transformation, enabling the solution of many related problems.
Hydrogen storage: Energy at your fingertips!
Hydrogen not only powers the vehicles of the future, but is also an ideal energy store that revolutionizes our approach to storing and using energy.
