Page 48 - EE Times Europe Magazine – November 2023

48 EE|Times EUROPE

GREENER ELECTRONICS | HYDROGEN
Evaluating Hydrogen’s Role in Energy

Storage Solutions

By Chingis Idrissov, IDTechEx

s the landscapes of energy and industry undergo significant transforma- offer a buffer for renewables, helping to bal-
tions, the hydrogen economy is on the cusp of sustainable expansion. ance the supply and demand by storing excess
The prospective hydrogen value chain encompasses production, storage energy for later use.
Moreover, off-grid energy storage is
A and distribution infrastructure, supporting a broad range of applica- becoming increasingly important for remote
tions, from industrial activities (such as petrochemical refining) to various modes or isolated regions in both residential and
of transportation (such as shipping). While electrification continues to be the industrial settings, with examples of the latter
main pathway for decarbonization in numerous sectors, hydrogen serves as an being remote mining sites and offshore oil
and gas platforms. Hydrogen stands out as an
essential alternative for industries that are challenging to decarbonize. attractive option in these scenarios due to its
higher energy density and capability to store
Hence, it is imperative to simultaneously gas crises that underline the vulnerability energy over longer periods without significant
advance the hydrogen value chain along with of relying solely on conventional energy losses, provided the system is properly sealed.
its wide range of applications. Each industry sources. These energy security concerns are
poses distinct challenges and opportunities amplifying the need for more resilient and KEY TECHNOLOGIES AND CASE STUDIES
for growth, but all underscore the urgent sustainable options, of which hydrogen could FOR HYDROGEN USE IN ENERGY STORAGE
requirement for decarbonization. While become a significant part. In evaluating the role of hydrogen in energy
hydrogen is not a one-size-fits-all solution, Additionally, the increasing adoption of storage, one must first acknowledge the
it provides a flexible and feasible means to renewable-energy technologies, such as wind infrastructure that hydrogen requires to
move toward a more sustainable industrial and solar power, has highlighted another balance the fluctuations inherent in energy
and energy landscape. pressing issue: intermittency. Power output production and consumption. For instance,
from wind and solar farms fluctuates depend- during off-peak hours, electrolyzers designed
WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR LONG-TERM ing on weather conditions, time of day and for dynamic operation, primarily proton
ENERGY STORAGE? season. This intermittency poses challenges exchange membrane (PEM) types, can utilize
As the global imperative to transition away for maintaining a stable energy supply and surplus power to produce green hydrogen.
from fossil fuels gains momentum, new solu- has driven interest in long-term energy stor- This hydrogen can then be stored using
tions are needed to ensure energy security age solutions. This is where hydrogen could various technologies, such as compressed
and sustainability. This is particularly evident play a pivotal role: Its potential applications gas storage in tube bundles, or in solid-state
in regions like Europe, which has faced recent in seasonal and diurnal energy storage can forms, such as in metal hydride storage

Overview of the future hydrogen value chain (Source: IDTechEx)

NOVEMBER 2023 | www.eetimes.eu