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The role of hydrogen and fuel cells to store renewable energy in the future energy network – potentials and challenges

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  • Ehteshami, Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi
  • Chan, S.H.

Abstract

The penetration of renewable energy sources is expected to rapidly increase from 15% to 50% in 2050 due to their vital contribution to the global energy requirements, sustainability and quality of life in economical, environmental and health aspects. This huge rise highlights the necessity of development of energy storage systems, especially for intermittency renewable energies such as solar photovoltaic and wind turbine, in order to balance the energy network. In this study, renewable energy options including pumped hydro, pressurized air, flywheels, Li ion batteries, hydrogen and super-capacitors are compared based on a specific set of criteria. The criteria considered are energy/power density, ease of integration with the existing energy network, cost effectiveness, durability, efficiency and safety. Our study showed that storing renewable energy sources in the form of hydrogen through the electrolysis process is ranked as the most promising option considering the mentioned criteria. It brings about several benefits suggesting that hydrogen and fuel cells are promising contributors towards a more sustainable future, both in energy demand and environmental sustainability.

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  • Ehteshami, Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi & Chan, S.H., 2014. "The role of hydrogen and fuel cells to store renewable energy in the future energy network – potentials and challenges," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 103-109.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:73:y:2014:i:c:p:103-109
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.04.046
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    6. Xing Cao & Jingang Wang & Pengcheng Zhao & Haiting Xia & Yun Li & Liming Sun & Wei He, 2023. "Hydrogen Production System Using Alkaline Water Electrolysis Adapting to Fast Fluctuating Photovoltaic Power," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
    7. Arsalis, Alexandros & Papanastasiou, Panos & Georghiou, George E., 2022. "A comparative review of lithium-ion battery and regenerative hydrogen fuel cell technologies for integration with photovoltaic applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 943-960.
    8. Wang, Shunli & Shang, Liping & Li, Zhanfeng & Deng, Hu & Li, Jianchao, 2016. "Online dynamic equalization adjustment of high-power lithium-ion battery packs based on the state of balance estimation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 44-58.
    9. Pan, Zehua & Liu, Qinglin & Zhang, Lan & Zhou, Juan & Zhang, Caizhi & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2017. "Experimental and thermodynamic study on the performance of water electrolysis by solid oxide electrolyzer cells with Nb-doped Co-based perovskite anode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 559-567.
    10. AlZahrani, Abdullah A. & Dincer, Ibrahim, 2022. "Assessment of a thin-electrolyte solid oxide cell for hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    11. Rezk, Hegazy & Sayed, Enas Taha & Al-Dhaifallah, Mujahed & Obaid, M. & El-Sayed, Abou Hashema M. & Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Olabi, A.G., 2019. "Fuel cell as an effective energy storage in reverse osmosis desalination plant powered by photovoltaic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 423-433.
    12. Liu, Benxi & Liao, Shengli & Cheng, Chuntian & Chen, Fu & Li, Weidong, 2018. "Hydropower curtailment in Yunnan Province, southwestern China: Constraint analysis and suggestions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 700-711.
    13. Samuel Simon Araya & Vincenzo Liso & Xiaoti Cui & Na Li & Jimin Zhu & Simon Lennart Sahlin & Søren Højgaard Jensen & Mads Pagh Nielsen & Søren Knudsen Kær, 2020. "A Review of The Methanol Economy: The Fuel Cell Route," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
    14. Riccardo Balzarotti & Saverio Latorrata & Marco Mariani & Paola Gallo Stampino & Giovanni Dotelli, 2020. "Optimization of Perfluoropolyether-Based Gas Diffusion Media Preparation for PEM Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, April.
    15. Kazuhiro Hikima & Masaharu Tsujimoto & Mizutomo Takeuchi & Yuya Kajikawa, 2020. "Transition Analysis of Budgetary Allocation for Projects on Hydrogen-Related Technologies in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.
    16. Alberto Abánades & Jesús Frías, 2022. "Economic Evaluation of Implementation of Power-to-Gas: Application to the Case of Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, March.

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