Renewable hydrogen as an energy storage solution

The paper will discuss the potential of renewable hydrogen as an energy storage medium for the decarbonisation of multiple sectors and for the energy system security. The author will particularly focus on the applications related to the building industry with perspectives to be further developed. The paper will cover the most up-to-date initiatives addressing the combination of hydrogen production based on water electrolysis and solar energy methods with the possibility of hydrogen implementations for energy storage, transportation and stationary applications such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants or fuel cell electric generators. The opportunity to reach improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the energy transition will be presented on the example of the two selected case studies: the world’s first full-scale wind power and hydrogen plant and the most up-to-date on-going project chosen by Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. They will be analysed in purpose to draw the conclusions regarding the options and limitations of the actual renewable hydrogen based energy storage systems tested in the real life situation. The second aim of the paper is to formulate the recommendations for the further action in this field, including the reduction of some non-technological barriers