Green hydrogen energy storage is a promising solution to the intermittent energy supply problem faced by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Hydrogen allows vast quantities of clean energy to be stored for long durations for use in peak demand and seasonal energy balancing. Hydrogen can be generated from excess renewable electricity during peak production hours using electrolysis. Once produced, hydrogen can be used in stationary fuel cells for power generation or stored as a compressed gas, cryogenic liquid, or a wide variety of loosely bonded hydride compounds for longer-term use. Hydrogen storage is essential for the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in applications such as portable power, transportation, and stationary power. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) is developing onboard automotive hydrogen storage systems that allow safety and performance requirements.
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The key challenge for hydrogen storage is achieving high density storage for stationary and portable applications. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has identified hydrogen as having the greatest potential among technologies for seasonal energy storage in the future. Hydrogen storage can facilitate the deployment of high and ultra-high shares of wind and solar energy sources. The NREL analysis considered hydrogen, pumped hydro, and compressed air in making their determination. Hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the decarbonization of power generation and transport, and as the world increasingly transitions to renewable energy, hydrogen storage will become increasingly important in electrical grids.
Fuel Cell Based Energy Storage:
Fuel cells are increasingly being recognized as a preferred means of generating electricity for distributed power, given their environmental compatibility and reliable, quiet operation. In addition to their role in direct energy conversion, fuel cells are also finding applications in energy storage. When used as an energy storage device, fuel cells are combined with a fuel generation device, typically an electrolyze, to create a Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) system.
This system can convert electrical energy to a storable fuel, such as hydrogen, which can then be used in a fuel cell reaction to provide electricity. The stored hydrogen can be retained for long periods of time and is insensitive to cycle life, temperature, or self-discharge, making it a promising option for energy storage. Fuel cell-based energy storage systems allow for the separation of power conversion and energy storage functions, enabling each function to be individually optimized.
This separation of functions results in a system that provides full back-up power for extended time periods with the energy storage medium, hydrogen, safely stored external to the building. This is in contrast to the storage of equivalent amounts of energy via traditional lead-acid batteries, which requires an environmentally controlled room and results in significant quantities of lead and acid being present in the facility. The potential of RFC systems has been studied for many years, and while they have not found practical application due in part to the high cost of fuel cells, the development of fuel cell and reversible cell technology is rapidly progressing.
The use of RFCs with hydrogen as an energy storage medium provides a manner of storing energy that has many advantages over conventional batteries. The stored hydrogen can be fully discharged without any life degradation, and when recharge of the tank is needed, it can be recharged by water electrolysis with power from the primary power source. Fuel cell-based energy storage systems, particularly those using hydrogen as the energy storage medium, offer a promising solution for long-term and seasonal energy storage. The ability to store days, months, or even seasonal amounts of hydrogen long-term or transport it makes it a valuable option for storing excess power from renewable sources such as wind and solar.
As the world transitions to lower carbon energy, fuel cell-based energy storage systems, including those utilizing hydrogen, are poised to play a significant role in enabling the energy transition and supporting the decarbonization of power generation. In conclusion, fuel cell-based energy storage systems, particularly those utilizing hydrogen as the energy storage medium, offer a promising and practical solution for long-term and seasonal energy storage. The ability to separate power conversion and energy storage functions, along with the advantages of stored hydrogen over conventional batteries, makes fuel cell-based energy storage an attractive option for supporting the transition to lower carbon energy and the decarbonization of power generation. This article provides an overview of the role of fuel cells in energy storage, with a focus on the use of hydrogen as an energy storage medium. It highlights the advantages of fuel cell-based energy storage systems, particularly in comparison to conventional batteries, and discusses the potential of fuel cell-based energy storage to support the transition to lower carbon energy and the decarbonization of power generation.
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