Hydrogen for Long Duration Energy Storage: Costs, Risks, and Equity Considerations

Utilities are facing unprecedented challenges in maintaining reliability as the electric grid incorporates more renewable generation and energy demand continues to grow. While new renewable energy generation can be built to meet demand, energy storage resources—particularly long duration energy storage (LDES) with durations of eight hours or longer—will be necessary to maintain a balanced and reliable grid. 

This fact sheet by Clean Energy Group evaluates the viability of hydrogen as a LDES technology. It examines the costs, efficiency, infrastructure considerations, and potential harms of hydrogen power plants. 

The fact sheet concludes that hydrogen, particularly hydrogen for use in power plants, is not a cost-competitive form of LDES, particularly given its potential for additional environmental and public health harms. While hydrogen may have some benefits as a form of seasonal storage, states are much more likely to need eight-to-ten-hour storage (also known as medium duration or MDES) in the next decade, making the current buildout of hydrogen power plants unnecessary.

For a more in-depth analysis of hydrogen LDES technology, read Clean Energy Group’s July 2025 report, Evaluating Hydrogen for Long Duration Energy Storage: Costs, Risks, and Equity Considerations.