Energy transition in focus: How electrolysers and storage can reduce costs!

Energy transition in focus: How electrolysers and storage can reduce costs!

Research teams from Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) and the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hameln (ISFH) have carried out a comprehensive study on the use of electrolysers and battery storage. The aim is to analyze the influence of these technologies on the costs of the energy transition. One of the biggest challenges is adapting the energy system to the fluctuating availability of wind and solar energy. When there is high wind and solar availability, there is a surplus of electricity, while in times of low production (dark periods) there is a shortage of energy.

Excess electricity can either be stored in battery storage or converted into hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen is primarily used in industry. A model developed specifically for this purpose is now optimizing the German energy system and determining the contribution of electrolysers and battery storage to an effective energy transition. The optimized scenario shows that electrolyzers for hydrogen production should be primarily located in the windy north of Germany, while battery storage is evenly distributed across Germany, with a focus in the south, where more photovoltaic electricity is available.

Cost savings and increased efficiency

The forecasts indicate that around 35 percent of electricity from renewable energies will have to be stored or converted into hydrogen by 2050. Failure to take action in this area could increase the total costs of the energy transition by up to 60 billion euros. The study, which is financially supported by EWE AG, provides important foundations for decision-makers in politics and business to achieve these goals. Delays in the expansion of hydrogen plants and storage can also make it significantly more difficult to meet climate goals.

In order to ensure the efficiency of the electrolysers, a specific proportion of green electricity is crucial. According to the energy consulting agency Novaro, the share of green electricity on an annual basis is currently 60 percent, with this share being over 80 percent in 1,854 hours during the period under review. A “hydrogen acceleration law” currently being drafted sets a threshold of 80 percent, which is considered too high. The economic optimum for using hydrogen is a threshold of 70 percent, which allows the electrolyzers to operate for up to 2,900 hours per year.

Technological challenges of electrolysis

Electrolysis itself, a process that breaks down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms, faces significant challenges. Catalysts are necessary to initiate and accelerate this process. However, previous developments in this area have been largely unsuccessful, so the materials must function under real industrial conditions for at least ten years. Dr. Philipp Gerschel from the Ruhr University Bochum describes the difficulties in selecting materials and developing suitable catalysts. Prof. Dr. Doris Segets from the University of Duisburg-Essen particularly emphasized the need for a workflow for material comparison. We are working with several institutions to develop new electrolysis processes that can also do without precious metals.

These developments could further advance catalyst research and thus enable widespread production of electrolyzers within the next ten years. The cooperation project includes 18 researchers from various disciplines and institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion.

Overall, current research shows a clear direction: the targeted use of electrolyzers and battery storage is crucial for a cost-effective and sustainable energy transition. The full study is available online and provides valuable insights for future energy policy.

For more information on current developments and research, please visit the following links: Leibniz University Hannover, PV Magazine, and Fraunhofer UMSICHT.