22-05-2013, 11:45 AM
Hydrogen as a Means of
Transporting and Controlling Offshore Wind Power
INTRODUCTION
Fluctuating and meteorologically determined energy sources can only be absorbed into
electricity transmission grids to a limited extent. From a share of 25% of wind energy
contribution in the network load upwards, excess energy production will occur in most
European electricity distribution systems. To avoid this, a storage medium needs to be
incorporated in the wind power or generation system that allows a flexible usage of surplus
power.
Hydrogen constitutes such a medium and furthermore displays several further interesting
characteristics:
- hydrogen can be re-converted to electricity at a reasonably high efficiency
- hydrogen can constitute an alternative for energy transportation, for instance using
pipelines where cables are not desired whilst offering high energy densities and low
transportation losses
- hydrogen can be sold as an industrial gas outside the electricity market thus on one
hand reducing electricity market pressure and on the other hand developing alternative
markets for renewable energies, for instance transport fuels.
The article will explore the current status of studies for off- and onshore hydrogen
production from wind energy and sketch out the technical and economic challenges and
rewards.