Hydrogen for Energy Storage? Anna Graham
Hydrogen for Energy Storage?
Anna Graham
Overview
• Setting the Context
• Why Hydrogen?
• The Hydrogen Office
Setting the Context
• Scotland’s wind and seas hold some of the most concentrated
energy potential in the world
• Scottish Government target of 100% electricity from renewables
by 2020, currently around 33%
• UK has only 1.11 turbines/100km2 c.f. 10.85 in Denmark
• 12,000 media articles written in 2010 but just 400 turbines installed
• The wind industry now employs >10,000 people, making it
larger than the UK coal industry
• A recent study indicated that almost 50% Scots agreed
Scotland’s energy should come from renewables
Setting the Context Meanwhile......
And....
Source: Scotsman 27th April 2011
What are the issues?
• Intermittent supply gives rise to grid instability – intermittent supply could be 50% of installed capacity by 2020 (Scotland)
• Large fossil plants required to operate at part load to meet requirements
• Spinning reserve is expensive and carbon intensive
• By 2020 may be times when wholesale electricity is free due to excess wind, and other times could peak at £1.30/kWh
• Need to consider energy storage to meet 2020 targets
The Green Hydrogen Cycle
Why Hydrogen for Storage?
• Only proven technology that can manage intermittent supply, other technologies – flow cell batteries, NaS batteries still not
fully proven
• Energy density storage higher for hydrogen vs. normal batteries
– 33kWh/kg (1.97kWh/kg including enclosure),
– 0.16kWh/kg Lithium Ion
– 0.04kWh/kg VRLA Battery
• Benefits: Can store power over long period of time, systems are
compact, no moving parts, no pollution
• Drawbacks: Cost and durability of materials, efficiency...?
Introducing The Hydrogen Office
The Energy System
Current Projects
• Sustainable
Transport
• Education
Thank you for your attention
Future contact: Gregor Murray [email protected]
www.thehydrogenoffice.com