Renewable energy is the term of the century, as it offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to typical fossil fuels. Hydrogen and solar power were among the top renewable energy sources until hydricity finally made its way to the U.S. Switzerland and the U.S. have teamed up to create a system that will provide power round-the-clock with an overall efficiency that surpasses hydrogen and solar power with its shocking and infinite performance.
The ‘hydricity’ system that will revolutionize renewable energy
Switzerland and the U.S. have teamed up to create a ‘hydricity’ system, where solar power can produce electricity and hydrogen simultaneously. According to the researchers, the system will provide electricity round-the-clock with an overall efficiency better than many solar panels. The hydricity system essentially pairs solar thermal power plants with hydrogen fuel manufacturing facilities that compete with solar panels.
Modern solar thermal power plants work at temperatures of up to roughly 625 degrees C. However, the researchers noted that these plants are usually more efficient at higher temperatures. Once they reach temperatures above 725°C, they can split water into its constituents, hydrogen and oxygen. This paired “hydricity” system would create steam for electricity production and hydrogen for energy storage, resulting in significant efficiency.
‘Hydricity’ will shock the world with its performance
The paired hydricity system results in electricity and hydrogen, with one making the other more efficient. The researchers indicated that the production efficiency would only be 50% if hydrogen were produced alone. This phenomenon happens due to the system’s high-pressure steam that can pressurize hydrogen.
The production efficiency would strikingly be 46% if electricity is produced alone. This result is due to high-temperature steam running a series of lower-pressure turbines as it exits high-pressure turbines, making the most of the collected solar thermal energy.
The system’s resulting hydrogen can create electricity at night, ensuring round-the-clock power. Per the researchers, the combination of the hydrogen-to-electricity system can result in a production efficiency of up to 70%, which is comparable to the highest reported hydrogen fuel cell efficiencies.
The application possibilities are endless
According to the study published by ACS Publications, Thermodynamic Hydricity of Transition Metal Hydrides (Eric S. Wiedner, Matthew B. Chambers, et. al., 2016), hydricity is not a new concept, as its immense potential was already predicted in 1992. It has only recently emerged as a radical solution to the variable nature of renewable energy.
The application possibilities of hydricity systems are endless. The system’s resulting hydrogen fuel could be used in transportation, especially as a fuel to power electric vehicles, chemical production, and many other industries. Stored hydrogen never discharges over time or degrades with repeated use, making it safer and more reliable than batteries. Although hydricity systems are still in the trial and evaluation stage, some companies have made and used some implementable examples to showcase their support of the system.
The German institute, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), showcases its prototype system of hydricity, Sunflower. The Sunflower allows the storage of energy up to 750 kWh and the production of electricity up to 100 kW. A Scottish offshore wind power project called Surf & Turf also used hydrogen production and storage on-site. An electrolyzer is also located on the wind farm and is powered by the turbines’ electricity, which then results in hydrogen production.
Hydricity systems have made their mark on U.S. soil. It will be extremely helpful in cases of extremely disastrous weather conditions, such as severe droughts, by providing water. Its ability to produce the most powerful and renewable energy out of nothing will also prove to be extremely helpful in such cases. It might be one small step for man, but it’s a giant step to revolutionize renewable energy.