Hydrogen Energy Storage System for High-Capacity Renewable Bridging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face limitations due to low energy density and small power capacity, making them inadequate for reliably storing and supplying renewable energy, which is stochastic and uncontrollable.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system comprising a high-pressure electrolyser, hydrogen gas storage, and a power plant, with additional gas storage and heat recovery systems, utilizing hydrogen's high energy density to enable compact, high-capacity storage and efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water or compressed air is used as storage medium, then the system structure is simple, but the specific energy density is low and energy capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage medium from water or compressed air to hydrogen gas, fundamentally altering the energy density parameter. Hydrogen's high specific energy density (approximately 33.3 kWh/kg) resolves the contradiction by providing much higher energy capacity while maintaining a relatively simple system structure consisting of electrolyzer, storage tank, and power plant components
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores the hydrogen produced during electrolysis in a dedicated hydrogen gas storage unit rather than immediately consuming it. This recovery mechanism enables energy to be stored for extended periods and dispatched when needed, achieving both high energy density storage and operational flexibility
2Volume of moving object
If conventional energy storage systems are used, then the system size is small, but the energy capacity is limited and cannot operate for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from water/compressed air storage to hydrogen storage, the system achieves approximately 100 times higher energy capacity in a comparable volume. The high energy density of hydrogen allows the system to operate at full load for many days rather than just hours, fundamentally resolving the contradiction between system size and operational duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary electrolysis of water to produce and store hydrogen in advance during periods of low demand or high renewable generation. This preliminary action enables the power plant to operate continuously at full load for extended periods by drawing from the pre-stored hydrogen reservoir
3Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the power output is not always available and controllability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conversion of renewable electricity to hydrogen through electrolysis during periods when renewable energy is abundant. This stored hydrogen then serves as a reliable fuel source for the power plant when renewable generation is insufficient, resolving the contradiction between low emissions and reliable power availability
Solution Approach 2:
Hydrogen acts as an intermediary energy carrier between renewable electricity sources and the power plant. It decouples the stochastic nature of renewable generation from the reliable operation of the power plant, enabling continuous operation while maintaining the low-carbon benefit of renewable energy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system can operate for extended periods at full load, providing up to 100 times the energy capacity of conventional systems, ensuring reliable energy supply during peak demand times and bridging low to high power generation fluctuations in renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolyser is used for decomposing water into oxygen and hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogen compressor which is connected to the electrolyser and to the hydrogen gas storage for compressing the hydrogen gas before it is stored
Implementation Method 3
The stored hydrogen is used for a gas turbine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An energy storage system (1) is disclosed, which comprises an electrolyser (5), a hydrogen gas storage (6, 20) and a power plant (7, 35, 32), the electrolyser (5) being connected to the hydrogen gas storage (6, 20) and the hydrogen gas storage (6, 20) being connected to the power plant (7, 25, 32). Moreover, a method for storing and supplying energy is described. The method comprises the steps of: delivering electrical energy to an electrolyser (5); decomposing water into oxygen and hydrogen gas by means of the electrolyser (5); storing the hydrogen gas; supplying the stored hydrogen gas to a power plant (7, 25, 32); and producing electrical energy by means of the power plant (7, 25, 32).