Supporting facilities for hydrogen energy storage projects

Why is large-scale hydrogen storage important?

Large-scale hydrogen storage thus improves the safe and flexible supply of future hydrogen users. The project is an important step towards integrating green hydrogen technology into the existing energy infrastructure and a key project for the energy transition.

Where are hydrogen projects supported?

Hydrogen projects are comprehensively supported in the separate Hydrogen department of the subsidiary RWE Generation. A number of demonstration and testing facilities are under construction or operational at sites in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. GetH 2 in Lingen is the German flagship of the hydrogen strategy.

What equipment is eligible for a hydrogen storage facility?

All relevant hydrogen equipment closely associated with the underground storage facility is eligible (e.g. storage vessels, sensors, pipework, civil works, modification costs, planning and permitting costs). Other components of the station, such as the dispenser, high pressure storage, compressor, or electrolyser, are not included.

Is hydrogen storage a viable option for energy self-sufficiency?

Under our assumptions, energy self-sufficiency can be achieved with hydrogen storage for an annual premium of 52% compared to an electricity supply from the grid by 2030. Although battery storage is optimal for short-term uses, substantially lower storage capacity costs for seasonal storage are desirable.

Does hybrid hydrogen storage improve energy self-sufficient residential buildings?

Hybrid hydrogen storage enables energy self-sufficient residential buildings. Different technology supply and storage configurations are comparatively assessed. RSOC and LOHC show high potential in self-sufficient building energy systems. Heat integration between rSOC and LOHC systems reduces hydrogen storage needs.

Can a heat-integrated hydrogen storage unit support self-sufficient residential buildings?

We show for the first time how a heat-integrated hydrogen storage unit equipped with a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) storage system and reversible solid oxide cells (rSOCs) enables cost-effective, self-sufficient residential buildings with only rooftop PV installed.