Potential and challenges of hydrogen energy storage: The case of Finland

Abstract

Wind power is rapidly growing on the Finnish grid, and Finland’s electricity consumption is considerably low during the summer when compared to winter. Hence, a storage that can store a large amount of energy during summer and discharge it during winter is needed. The scope of this study is limited to the large-scale hydrogen storage. The study has investigated more than twenty-four hydrogen storage technologies, discussing in fair details their theory of operation, their potential, and challenges from different perspectives.

The study resulted in finding that out of all the evaluated technologies, geological storage and liquid organic hydrogen carriers have the highest potential to store hydrogen in a GWh scale over long periods of time in Finland. This does not rule out the other technologies; rather, it portrays the technologies that have the least challenges at the present time.

Furthermore, Finland’s electricity generation system was modeled with and without hydrogen storage. The model results showed a slight but perceptible decline in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel-based power accompanied by a higher capability to meet the demand. Finally, a critical analysis for the Finnish electricity mix and the shortlisted hydrogen storage technologies is presented, along with recommendations for future research.