Silicon-to-Hydrogen Grid Storage for On-Demand Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Renewable energy sources are intermittent and lead to energy supply instability, with existing energy storage solutions like pumped hydro and thermal storage being limited by geography, cost, safety, and scalability, necessitating a more efficient and transportable energy storage solution.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of hydrogen from porous silicon using an alkaline solution, followed by electricity generation in a fuel cell, with optional heat recovery and battery storage, allowing on-demand energy supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If pumped hydro storage is used for grid-scale energy storage, then storage capacity is improved, but geographical limitation and seasonality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidgeographical limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pumped hydro storage system with a chemical energy storage system using silicon-based hydrogen production. Instead of using gravitational potential energy and water flow, the invention uses chemical reactions (silicon + water → hydrogen + electricity) to store and release energy, thereby eliminating geographical and seasonal constraints while maintaining large-scale storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of energy storage from mechanical (water elevation) to chemical (hydrogen production from silicon). This parameter change allows the system to operate independently of geographical features and seasonal variations, as silicon can be stored and processed anywhere with appropriate infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If hydrogen is stored and transported for grid-scale energy, then energy density is improved, but safety and transportability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of storing hydrogen and then converting it to electricity, the invention inverts the process by storing silicon (a stable solid) and converting it to hydrogen on-demand through chemical reactions with water. This inversion eliminates the need for hydrogen storage and transport, thereby resolving safety concerns while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent treats silicon as a stable, storable energy carrier that can be kept indefinitely in a safe state. When energy is needed, silicon is converted to hydrogen and immediately consumed in fuel cells. This approach replaces the need for long-term hydrogen storage with stable silicon storage, improving safety while maintaining energy availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If renewable energy sources are used for electricity generation, then decarbonisation is improved, but energy supply stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedecarbonisationVSAvoidenergy supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by producing hydrogen from silicon during periods of excess renewable energy generation or low demand. This hydrogen (or the silicon-hydrogen precursor) is then stored and used during periods of high demand or low renewable generation, thereby stabilizing energy supply while maintaining the benefits of renewable energy sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Silicon acts as an intermediary energy carrier between renewable energy sources and end-use applications. Instead of directly using intermittent renewable electricity, the system converts it to chemical energy in silicon-based hydrogen, which can then be reliably converted back to electricity on-demand, thus mediating the instability of renewable sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Porous silicon enables efficient, safe, and scalable hydrogen production and electricity generation, reducing the need for high-pressure storage and providing a stable energy supply with high energy density and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the alkaline solution with silicon so as to produce hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

processing the hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS20260031377A1Method and system for storing grid electricity and dispensing the stored electricity on demand

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 EPRO ADVANCE TECH LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of supplying electricity to an electrical load including steps of providing an alkaline solution, reacting the alkaline solution with silicon so as to produce hydrogen. processing the hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate electricity, and supplying the electricity from an output of the fuel cell to the electrical load via a suitable electrical interfacing module.