Design and Development of Metal Hydride System for Thermal Energy Storage and Hydrogen Storage Applications

Abstract

The world is progressing toward renewable energy resources because of the increase in demand for energy, the price of fossil fuels and the global warming effect. A major shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is needed to save the environment from global warming and climate change. Renewable energy sources are often limited for commercial use due to their intermittent nature, i.e., inconsistent energy supply and demand. This issue in concentrated solar thermal power (CSTP) technology can be addressed by integrating a thermal energy storage (TES) system. The excess thermal energy is stored in the TES system during sunshine hours. The stored energy is retrieved for producing electricity during the off-sun hours, making the CSTP plant operate continuously throughout the day and night. Thermal energy can be stored in three different ways: sensible heat storage (SHS), latent heat storage (LHS), and thermochemical energy storage (TCES). The TCES system offers high energy density, wide operating temperatures, and long-term storage among all TES systems. Another promising technology for storing excess renewable energy is in the form of hydrogen. Hydrogen as an energy carrier offers a large-scale, long-term, and seasonal storage of excess renewable energy. The excess electricity produced by renewables (primarily wind and solar PV) during low energy demand periods generates hydrogen using an electrolyzer. The stored hydrogen is utilized in stationary fuel cells for combined power and heat as per the demand.