PowerCell and partners begin power-to-gas pilot study; hydrogen from excess renewable electricity
08 December 2015
Fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB—a spinout from the Volvo Group—is partnering with Wallenstam AB, Midroc Automation AB and Hydrogen Sweden to launch a pilot study on developing a system in which surplus energy from wind and solar energy can be temporarily stored as hydrogen which then together with fuel cells provides electricity on cloudy and windless days.
The study is intended to lead to a joint demonstration project in 2016 next to PowerCell’s premises in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Västra Götalandsregionen is financing the feasibility study.
Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using the excess renewable electricity; the hydrogen can then be used in a fuel cell to generate new electricity and heat when needed.
Byproducts of the process are heat and oxygen; these can be used. The heating is in a temperature range suitable for the district heating system and heating of premises. The oxygen is very clean and has a high value if the right customer (e.g. hospitals) and a distribution method can be found. Hydrogen that is not needed for power into the grid can be sold as vehicle fuel.
Well, will they manage to do the impossible and make REs into 24/7 clean energy sources?
Southern Alberta (with excellent sun shine) is seriously thinking to invest into solar farms with storage to replace some of their CPPs and dirty oil from tar sands.
Many (about 37+) US States could do the same and help to replace up to 400 CPPs.
China and India may not have much of a choice if lower cost NPPs do not come around soon.
Posted by: HarveyD | 08 December 2015 at 08:27 AM