Strategies for the Adoption of Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems: An Exploratory Study in Australia
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Hydrogen and Hybrid Storage Systems
1.2. The Adoption of Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems
1.3. Exploration in the Australian Context
2. A Mixed Methodology
2.1. Systematic Literature Review
2.2. The Interview Methodology
Development of the Interview Structure and Questions
3. Research Findings
3.1. Requirement of Energy Storage Systems
3.2. Opinion on Hydrogen’s Role in These Energy Storage Systems
3.3. Challenges in Implementing Hydrogen-Based Storage Systems
3.4. Methods of Storing Hydrogen
3.5. Other Comments and Recommendations
4. Discussion
4.1. Use Cases for Hydrogen-Based Storage Systems
- Microgrids and stand-alone power systems. Ayodele, Mosetlhe et al. (2021) [7] demonstrated that hydrogen-based energy storage systems are best suited for microgrids and stand-alone power systems. Additionally, they can successfully be used to serve remote communities where the distance from the nearest grid connection is substantial. In most cases, long-term storage will be required to provide the reliability of electricity to the community or customer it is servicing. Where there is an opportunity to displace diesel, on-site hydrogen production and utilisation become a viable option. That is typically the case in the remote areas that are widespread in the Australian outback.
- Small-scale applications. Due to the current high cost of equipment and uncertainty regarding operational, maintenance, safety, and regulatory requirements, hydrogen-based electricity storage units are not yet suited for pure electricity storage within small-scale residential, industrial, and commercial applications. Generally, these features are better suited when an opportunity exists to balance the electricity load with other users. Furthermore, the uptake of rooftop solar panels, batteries, and battery-cell electric vehicles will provide enough storage within the electricity grid to prevent the need for deep storage at the individual unit level, except for individuals and entities making investment decisions based on reasons other than economic and financial considerations.
- Embedded network. Pure hydrogen energy storage systems may be applicable in situations where embedded networks exist. The operators of these networks aim to achieve 100% renewables, and their customers are willing to pay more for their electricity. Hydrogen can be used as long-term storage and large-scale grid support but needs to be in conjunction with batteries to provide frequency support to the grid. The expensive capital cost of equipment is less evident at a larger scale. A hydrogen storage system is a viable option for these applications where the ease of expansion of storage capacity can be achieved without upgrading the entire system. Moreover, there is an opportunity to use rather than curtail the excess electricity generated by renewables during off-peak times through conversion and storage as hydrogen within the existing gas networks for heating and cooking, but not for re-electrification.
4.2. Challenges Inhibiting the Uptake of Hydrogen-Based Storage Systems
4.3. Recommendations to Accelerate the Uptake of Hydrogen-Based Storage Systems
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Number | Main Question |
---|---|
1 | Why is there a requirement for electricity storage systems? |
2 | Do you believe hydrogen has a role to play in these storage systems? If yes, what role? |
3 | What are the options for storing hydrogen? |
4 | What are some of the challenges inhibiting the uptake of hydrogen-based energy storage systems? |
5 | What are some strategies that could be adopted to overcome these challenges? |
Interviewee Number | Area of Expertise and Experience |
---|---|
Industry Experts | |
I01 | Energy transition consultant and founder of renewable energy company |
I02 | Chairman of a renewable energy company |
I03 | Managing director of an emerging renewable energy company |
I04 | Senior member of a large energy supplier |
I05 | Senior member of a large-scale electricity supplier |
I06 | Decarbonisation and energy project manager and researcher |
Policy Experts | |
P01 | Strategy manager for an electrical utility company |
P02 | Senior strategy analyst for a large-scale energy producer and retailer |
P03 | Executive of a government body which provides industry-matched funding to energy lighthouse projects |
Academic Experts | |
A01 | Professor with research interests in energy storage, renewable electricity, and microgrids |
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Wells, C.; Minunno, R.; Chong, H.-Y.; Morrison, G.M. Strategies for the Adoption of Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems: An Exploratory Study in Australia. Energies 2022, 15, 6015. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15166015
Wells C, Minunno R, Chong H-Y, Morrison GM. Strategies for the Adoption of Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems: An Exploratory Study in Australia. Energies. 2022; 15(16):6015. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15166015
Chicago/Turabian StyleWells, Cameron, Roberto Minunno, Heap-Yih Chong, and Gregory M. Morrison. 2022. "Strategies for the Adoption of Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems: An Exploratory Study in Australia" Energies 15, no. 16: 6015. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15166015