Why hydrogen storage?
Our energy system is changing. The more we obtain our energy from sun and wind, the more the supply of energy depends on the weather. But the demand for energy is not always synchronised with the availability of energy. Hydrogen storage will become an indispensable link in dealing with shortages and surpluses.
Storage when there is a surplus of sustainable electricity
When there is a lot of wind or the sun is shining, there can be a surplus of electricity. At that moment, the generated power no longer fits in the electricity grid. At such times, the surplus of green electricity can be converted into hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be transported through pipes and stored in a salt cavern for future use.
Using a buffer in the event of a shortage
At times when there is little wind or the sun is not shining, there can be a shortage of electricity. The stored hydrogen can then be used to produce CO2-free electricity in power plants.
To convert or not to convert?
It takes energy to convert electricity into hydrogen. Therefore, there is always a loss of energy. Isn't it smarter to store surplus solar and wind energy in batteries? This is a question of money and convenience. Hydrogen (molecules) is more efficient to transport than electricity (electrons). Moreover, it is about one thousand times cheaper to store hydrogen in salt caverns than to store the same amount of energy as electrons in batteries. Hydrogen makes the storage of sustainable energy feasible and affordable and the energy system much more reliable because energy can always be supplied in any form.
