Household solar hydrogen energy storage system

Can solar power be stored as a primary storage unit?

The proposed system is intended for storing surplus solar power, with the battery acting as a primary storage unit only when hydrogen generation is not immediately available. It consists of a 4.5 kW PEM hydrogen electrolysis system, a 0.85 m3 hydrogen storage tank, a 0.8 kW purification unit, a PEM hydrogen fuel cell, and a lithium-ion battery.

What is a hydrogen storage system?

Conceived by a Dutch research group, the proposed system is intended to store surplus renewable electricity via hydrogen generation and battery storage, with the latter being used only when hydrogen generation is not immediately available. Despite its high initial costs, the system can reportedly offer stable operation. Schematic of the system

Can you store energy as hydrogen?

Yes, you can store energy as hydrogen. Australian company Lavo has built a cabinet that can sit on the side of your house and store your excess energy as hydrogen.

Where is hydrogen stored in this system?

All the hydrogen is stored in four small red hydride containers. The rest of this beefy cabinet is taken up with the electrolyzer, battery, and fuel cell stack.

How does solar energy work?

On sunny days, solar energy is stored in a battery and can be used immediately or converted into hydrogen by the electrolyzer and stored. The energy in this hydrogen power storage system is then converted by the fuel cell back into electrical energy and heat that can be used during the night and in the wintertime.

How does the hydrogen battery work?

The world-first home hydrogen battery works by connecting to a solar inverter and mains water. It uses excess energy to electrolyze the water, releasing oxygen and storing the hydrogen in a patented metal hydride 'sponge' at a pressure of 30 bar, or 435 psi.