How renewable energy & hydrogen fuel cells can stabilise demand fluctuations

Did you know that in 2023, renewables generated over 40% of the UK’s electricity, a trend expected to continue rising? However, renewables are inherently intermittent, as solar panels do not generate power at night and wind turbines only function when the wind blows.

Extended periods of low renewable energy generation – known as “Dunkelflaute” (a term describing prolonged low-wind and low-sun conditions) – pose significant challenges to grid stability. During such events, power demand can far exceed the available supply in the absence of renewable input, leading to critical imbalances.

Periods of high renewable energy generation are also challenging as often these do not align with high electrical grid demand, a problem added to by limitations on the amount of energy the grid can transmit.  This can result curtailment of the renewable energy sources, by turning off wind turbines for example, something that cost the UK taxpayers over £1 billion in 2024.

These fluctuations highlight the urgent need for robust energy storage, grid balancing mechanisms, and flexible generation solutions to ensure reliability in a decarbonised energy system.

A solution for managing demand

For extended periods of energy intermittency, hydrogen fuel cells provide an ideal solution. By producing hydrogen during periods of high renewable energy generation (avoiding curtailment penalties) and then converting hydrogen into electricity on demand, fuel cells can provide consistent power regardless of weather conditions, as long as hydrogen is supplied.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which have limited storage capacity, a key advantage of hydrogen is its ability to store surplus renewable energy for long durations.

How hydrogen fuel cells work to balance demand

• Energy storage: When renewable energy production exceeds demand, excess electricity is used to generate hydrogen through electrolysis.
• Storage and transportation: Hydrogen can be stored in high-pressure tanks or transported via pipelines, offering flexibility in energy distribution.
• On-demand power: When energy demand surpasses supply, stored hydrogen is converted back into electricity through fuel cells, ensuring uninterrupted energy flow and stabilising demand fluctuations.

The UK government has identified hydrogen as a cornerstone of its net-zero strategy with several policies and regulations in place to accelerate hydrogen adoption.

1. UK Hydrogen Strategy

The UK Hydrogen Strategy outlines a roadmap to developing 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, with at least half of it being green hydrogen produced via electrolysis.

2. Energy Act 2023

This legislation supports hydrogen production, licensing, and transportation, ensuring a clear regulatory framework for investors and stakeholders.

3. Environmental Permitting Guidance

The Environment Agency has established guidelines for hydrogen production, ensuring strict environmental and safety measures are met before granting permits.

4. Investment and Industry Collaboration

The UK is investing in hydrogen hubs, such as the East Coast Hydrogen Project, which aims to connect major industrial regions to low-carbon hydrogen supplies.

Statistical insights into hydrogen’s role in demand stabilisation

• The UK government has committed to 2GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2025, scaling up to 10GW by 2030.
• By 2050, hydrogen could provide up to 35% of the UK’s total energy demand, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The future of hydrogen fuel cells in demand stabilisation

As the UK transitions towards a net-zero economy, hydrogen fuel cells will play a vital role in stabilising energy demand and reducing emissions. Hydrogen is particularly valuable in sectors where electrification is challenging, such as:

• Heavy transport: Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) offer a zero-emission alternative to diesel trucks and buses, ensuring reliable energy demand management in transport.
• Industrial use: Hydrogen can replace natural gas in high-temperature manufacturing processes, helping balance energy consumption in industrial sectors.
• Backup power: Hydrogen fuel cells can serve as a reliable backup power source for data centres, hospitals, and remote locations, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply.

Renewable energy and hydrogen fuel cells offer a complementary solution to the UK’s energy challenges. By harnessing excess renewable power to produce and store hydrogen, the UK can create a more resilient and sustainable energy system. But this isn’t just an issue the UK face, power security is a hot topic in Europe and America with increasing levels of power cuts caused by natural disasters and out of date grid infrastructure and capacity that cannot support the supply and demand for the grid.

Learn more about how our technology at Intelligent Energy can help support the transition. Find out more about our products here or get in touch today.