With global economies increasingly focusing on sustainable energy solutions, calls for creating clean, green decarbonized energy solutions have been on the rise. As a result, the adoption of green hydrogen is also increasing.
Green hydrogen’s potential to support decarbonization efforts are manifold since it has wide applications as a clean energy source. Where it really shines is in its potential as an energy storage medium, explains Rajiv Menon, managing director of Black & Veatch’s India business.
When produced through electrolysis with 100% renewable energy, Green hydrogen offers a decarbonized energy storage solution for excess renewable energy since its can be easily stored, transported, and converted back into energy as and when needed. While traditional battery storage options generally offer up to 8 hours of storage, hydrogen storage offers significantly longer duration, allowing for the seasonal load shifting potential that will increase reliability of renewables.
“Hydrogen surpasses the physical limitations of current mineral-based battery technologies to provide essentially infinite duration storage and backup power,” said Menon.
Green hydrogen is, in part, a long-term storage potential which has spurred massive hydrogen projects across the globe, including the ACES-Delta project in the US wherein Black & Veatch will be providing EPC services, which will center around storing compressed hydrogen in the salt caverns of the area.
“Not only is this project a step forward for the global hydrogen economy,” said Menon “it will positively impact Black & Veatch’s role in the field of green hydrogen.”
He went on to add, “The ACES-Delta project will be the world’s largest industrial green hydrogen production and storage facility. Providing EPC services on such a project means our global execution teams will gain invaluable knowledge, said Menon to T&D India. “Resolving specific challenges around the commissioning and execution of the project will help us refine best practices to better serve our future clients. The experience will also help to fine-tune risk mitigation strategies for future project executions.”