Assessing Hydrogen for Long Duration Energy Storage: Use Cases, Costs, and Equity Concerns

As the electric grid faces unprecedented demand challenges, long duration energy storage (LDES) technologies are needed to maintain a balanced and reliable grid. However, it is important to consider the costs, benefits, and infrastructure needs of different LDES technologies prior to developing large-scale projects.  

A new Clean Energy Group report, “Evaluating Hydrogen for Long-Duration Energy Storage: Costs, Risks, and Equity Considerations,” provides a levelized cost of storage (LCOS) analysis on hydrogen, particularly hydrogen peaker power plants, compared to other LDES technologies. With utilities in at least 18 states developing “hydrogen-ready” power plants, this analysis provides much-needed context for the high costs associated with building and operating hydrogen peaker plants, particularly compared to other LDES technologies which can provide many of the same grid balancing services. The report highlights the importance of considering various LDES technologies to identify which can best meet current resource planning needs, particularly in the next 10-15 years, when medium duration (MDES) resources will be more needed than seasonal duration storage technologies such as hydrogen.  

In this webinar, report co-author Maria Roumpani, Partner at Current Energy Group, will present her LCOS analysis of various LDES technologies across several durations, including the impact of things like capacity factor on LCOS. Prantik Saha, New Energy Consultant for Black & Veatch, will present case studies of successful LDES deployment in various contexts. Report author and Clean Energy Group Project Director Abbe Ramanan will moderate.