Ultra-high Efficiency, Lower-Cost, Green Electrolytic Hydrogen for Microgrids in California

Long-duration energy storage solutions are needed to maximize the value of California’s renewable electricity. Senate Bill 1369 (Skinner, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2018) identified the potential for green electrolytic hydrogen to decrease grid integration costs and reduce pollution. Conventional water electrolysis systems coupled with hydrogen fuel cells are less efficient than lithium-ion batteries at storing electricity. The round-trip efficiency of conventional hydrogen energy storage, combined with high initial capital costs, is a barrier to entry into established energy storage markets. Under this grant, the T2M Global team developed and validated an alternate solution for green electrolytic hydrogen energy storage at a kilowatt-class level. The experimental results validated under this research project predict that an Advanced Electrolyzer System could achieve a round-trip electrical efficiency for storage of more than 80 percent. By comparison, conventional water electrolyzer systems have a round-trip efficiency closer to 40 percent. This high round-trip electrical efficiency was attained by eliminating high parasitic losses associated with the co-production of oxygen. It also reduces overall system capital cost while increasing its durability. The T2M Global project team attained their project goal and developed designs for a 100-kW-class Advanced Electrolyzer System building block that could be combined into a larger long-duration energy storage system. The Advanced Electrolyzer System technology has the potential to compete with lithium-ion batteries, especially in long-duration energy storage applications. The Advanced Electrolyzer System enhanced safety features and flexible integration with various stranded resources make the Advanced Electrolyzer System technology especially suitable for deployment in California’s disadvantaged communities.