Exploring the Future of Power
Exploring the future of power
Think about a world where our electricity grids are not only stable but also powered by innovative technologies.
A recent study has considered the possibilities of using hydropower (CH), batteries (BS), and green hydrogen storage (GHS) to achieve a reliable and cost-effective global power system. From recent research, I’ll explain how these technologies work together to shape the future of energy.
The power trio: CH, BS, and GHS
Our electricity grids need storage solutions to maintain stability, and the study introduces us to two emerging technologies: battery storage (BS) and green hydrogen storage (GHS). Green hydrogen is a unique concept where hydrogen is produced and compressed using clean and renewable electricity, stored, and then converted back to electricity through a fuel cell.
The question at the heart of this research is whether GHS alone can be more cost-effective compared to BS alone or a combination of both.
Modelling energy costs worldwide
To answer this question, researchers modelled energy costs in 145 countries grouped into 24 regions. They utilised existing conventional hydropower (CH) storage alongside new battery storage (BS) and/or green hydrogen storage (GHS). The study also introduces a method to treat CH for both baseload and peaking power, providing a comprehensive understanding of how hydropower contributes to the mix.
Cost-effective solutions
The findings are exciting. In four regions, only CH is needed to achieve the lowest cost. In five regions, combining CH with BS emerges as the most cost-effective solution. Interestingly, the winning combination is CH+BS+GHS in other regions.
However, CH+GHS is never the most economical choice. This discovery is a crucial step toward identifying the most efficient ways to power our grids sustainably.
Bridging grids and hydrogen infrastructure
The research also introduces a metric to estimate whether combining GHS with BS reduces costs. In most regions, merging grid and non-grid hydrogen infrastructure proves to be more cost-effective. This insight hints at the importance of integrating different elements to achieve the best outcomes for global energy systems.
A world powered by water, batteries, and hydrogen
In summary, the study suggests that worldwide grid stability is achievable with a combination of CH+BS or CH+BS+GHS. These combinations offer the lowest cost, paving the way for a future where our energy grids are not only reliable but also economically sustainable. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that these results come with some uncertainties, as the world of energy is complex and ever-changing.
In future, we can look forward to a more sustainable and efficient global energy landscape.
The possibilities are vast, and each discovery takes us one step closer to a future where clean and reliable energy is at the forefront of our technological advancements.
