No abstract

The requirement for low-cost access to energy storage technologies is increasing with the continued growth of renewable energy. The growth of the hydrogen economy is also expected to emerge to improve energy security and meet the growing pressures of environmental requirements. Hydrogen and redox flow batteries (RFB) have promising energy storage characteristics that can allow increased penetration of renewable energy and reduction in grid energy. The strong synergy between natural gas and hydrogen anticipates that new efficient methods of hydrogen production such as microwave plasma processing of natural gas might have a leading role. Additionally, the improvements in the carbon allotropes properties and their cost are expected to influence large-scale energy storage system costs. A technical and economic comparison of vanadium and all-iron RFB with hydrogen will be explored on an individual and integrated basis. The findings show hydrogen’s capability for bulk energy storage and highlights the benefits of integrated storage. This proves that integration of various storage systems can play an important role for the future development of the decentralized renewable energy systems.

Hydrogen represents a valuable energy carrier. It has the potential to contribute strategically to future energy requirements in an environmentally responsible manner when produced using new low-emission production technology. It is important that hydrogen production, conversion and storage technologies can reach technoeconomically and environmentally attractive performance levels. Within such a context, natural gas-hydrogen synergies and assorted technology options in a carbon-constrained future are of central importance. The research study described aims at identifying the potential synergies between hydrogen and the changing natural gas industry within the context of an operationally reliable, economically viable and environmentally compliant global energy system.

As we enter the second century of superconductivity, helium still prevails as the cryogenic coolant of choice. What does the future of helium hold? What can be done to avoid the squandering of this precious resource? In our presentation, we will discuss the use of cryogenic hydrogen originated from renewable and low-CO 2 emission sources. We suggest that 20 K of liquid hydrogen can ultimately displace helium as an indirect coolant in a range of superconducting electromagnetic devices. As is already well documented, superconductors have much potential underpinning the future developments in transportation, energy supply/storage and also in medical applications. Although superconductors that can operate at liquid hydrogen temperatures, such as MgB 2 and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 , are not yet truly commercially available, research indicates that these will be feasible in the near future.

The chapter provides a comparison of energy storage technologies in decentralised energy systems for energy management. The various costs, advantages and disadvantages of the storage technologies will be considered. System dynamics modelling will be used to analyse energy management within the decentralised renewable and storage systems. Additionally, the integration of hydrogen storage technology and the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier in a decentralised airport scenario will be highlighted and the arising advantages of a decentralised airport using novel electric planes powered by hydrogen are discussed.