Hydrogen storage for off-grid systems

In recent years, we often hear about hydrogen storage for off-grid systems as an answer to the environmental crisis.

Specifically, the term off-grid means off-grid, in a nutshell it means being energy self-sufficient without a ‘physical’ connection to utilities via wires, pipes or cables.

But why do we talk about hydrogen storage in off-grid systems?

Let us look at it together.

The importance of hydrogen storage as a solution in off-grid systems

To date, hydrogen storage in off-grid systems is an important solution for the energy transition.

This is because the use of hydrogen in a scenario where energy is produced autonomously from renewable sources is a valuable tool for storing energy. The first real goal of an off-grid system is to achieve savings both economically and environmentally.

Energy is produced, managed and used on site without any intermediary, reducing the impact of utility infrastructure and at the same time eliminating the use of fossil fuels. Consequently, an off-grid system with hydrogen storage is important because it can play a key role in achieving energy sustainability goals in line with European directives.

Let us take a step back. The off-grid scenario is based on technologies that use different forms of energy production: electricity is obtained from renewable sources.

Renewable sources in the area can be:

• photovoltaic
• wind
• hydroelectric

These are also called intermittent sources because they do not guarantee continuity due to constantly changing weather conditions and their intermittency can be overcome by energy storage systems.

And this is where green hydrogen comes in. The energy carrier, produced through electrolysis, can be stored in large quantities for long periods of time.

In an off-grid system, excess electricity generated by renewable energies can be used to produce hydrogen.

Let’s see in detail how.

The energy produced is sent to an electrolyser, which converts it into hydrogen. In turn, the hydrogen produced is stored and stored in a tank, thus becoming an energy accumulator. It is converted back into electricity by a fuel cell which can also be consumed at a later date.

Hydrogen storage, therefore, represents the real key to the development of a future sustainable energy system: the energy produced is not lost over time and can be recovered as a reserve energy source when needed.

How off-grid systems work in detail – h2

How do off-grid systems actually work?

In off-grid systems, the production of electrical and thermal energy required for maintenance comes from the sun, wind and rain and is therefore self-generated.

Off-grid systems can operate through:

• solar panels, which are installed on roofs
• wind turbines
• hydroelectric turbines, must have a flow in close proximity with large amounts of water.

In fact, in addition to renewable energy, these systems also have an energy storage system consisting of devices, equipment and technologies useful for absorbing and releasing electricity.

The storage system, which is an optional feature, collects and stores the energy produced during the day to allow it to be reused at a later date

We at Simplifhy are the first Italian supplier of hydrogen-based solutions with a complete and customised offer that includes consulting for the design and implementation of ‘custom-made’ hydrogen systems.
Specifically, Simplifhy products are able to produce hydrogen by means of electrolysis.