Combining solar energy with hydrogen energy storage, the solution is capable of delivering electricity 24/7 without emitting CO2, at a competitive price.
Engie is ready to overhaul the electricity industry with a new solution: hydrogen energy storage for solar power. This and other hydrogen solutions have been discussed at the September 19th roundtable in Paris.
There are several common ways of producing electricity: coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solarwater energy nd oil. WIn fact, over 300 billion liters of oil are used to produce electricity annually, roughly the same amount as is needed to keep 20 percent of cars running for a year. This method of producing electricity contributes an additional 700 million tons of C02 emissions every year.
Engie's Hydrogen Solution
Renewable power sources, such as solar, are beginning to become more widespread, the major drawback of solar is that after the sun sets, solar power switches off too, leaving all of us in the dark.
But the days of relying on oil for electricity are coming to an end, thanks to a solution that combines the power of solar energy and the innovation of hydrogen energy storage. Solar power is more an more widespread, but its major drawback is that after the sun sets, solar power switches off too, leaving all of us in the dark.
The hydrogene solution allows solar panels to absorb the power of the sun, channelling it directly into electricity during the day and diverting it into stored hydrogen by using water, providing thus 24/7 electricity on demand. Since the water is reused, it’s an entirely renewable solution that is not only CO2 emission free but also cheaper than oil.
Exploring Hydrogen Innovations for Green Mobility
Engie shared this solution and others at the Innovation Morning Meeting event on the 19th of September in Paris. This event, developed in partnership with Michelin and startup Symbio FCell, was devoted to exploring innovations in the realm of hydrogen: how it can be used today, and how we can put it to use in the future.
Experts were present at the roundtable event, exploring the ways in which putting hydrogen to good use can drastically reduce the impact of the transportation sector, responsible for 23% of CO2 emissions in the world.
As a player in the green mobility market, Engie has already installed more than 5,000 electricity charging stations in Europe. The Group is now helping to encourage the use of hydrogen in electric mobility. Symbio FCell, a pioneering company in fuel cell technology and inventors of the first range extender for hybrid (combined electricity and hydrogen) vehicles, brought ENGIE into the ranks of its investors to develop faster hydrogen mobility.
“This project perfectly illustrates the Group’s commitment to developing hydrogen-powered transportation by teaming up with industry partners. Engie wants to develop green mobility and especially alternative green energies, deploying NGV as an alternative fuel, or electric mobility, with EV charging stations being installed in Europe, or innovative solutions dealing with hydrogen” says Thierry Lepercq, Executive Vice-President at Engie.