Author: Anela Dokso

Amidst the UK’s renewable energy transition, National Grid has etched a critical milestone by awarding high-voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework contracts. This move responds to the increasing demand for seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid, reflecting a significant leap forward in infrastructure modernization. The push for HVDC technology is driven by the wider UK energy agenda, where older infrastructures are pushed to their limits with the influx of clean energy from offshore wind and solar farms. According to the National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios, electricity demand might rise to 30% by 2050, a forecast…

Despite its allure, green hydrogen accounts for only a small fraction of the global supply, constrained by high production costs and inadequate infrastructure. Grey hydrogen dominates, responsible for around 95% of global production, but it comes with significant carbon emissions. Blue hydrogen offers a halfway solution by incorporating carbon capture technologies, yet it fails to fully address environmental concerns. In this context, green hydrogen, generated through electrolysis fueled by renewable sources, remains the most sustainable alternative. Recent analysis of hydrogen energy trends highlights an intriguing relationship between hydrogen production and urban electricity use. Utilizing panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) and coupling…

As the solar power landscape rapidly evolves, data from various studies suggests a notable shift toward exploring diverse storage solutions for photovoltaic (PV) systems, particularly in off-grid settings. With photovoltaic technology becoming more accessible and financially viable, storage remains a critical determinant of effectiveness, directly impacting the reliability of energy supply. In this context, the ongoing debate centers around two key players: battery storage systems and hydrogen-based storage mechanisms. Recent evaluations, such as a study conducted on a PV setup in Tehran, reveal a fascinating interplay of energy efficiency, economic viability, and environmental impact when comparing batteries and hydrogen. The…

The investigation into microgrid frequency regulation has taken an innovative turn with the integration of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, particularly focusing on the role of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. Current statistics indicate that the global market for microgrids is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% from 2021 to 2026, reflecting a heightened global emphasis on energy resilience and sustainability. This creates a crucial junction for integrating technological solutions like V2G within microgrids. At the core of this exploration lies the problem of grid stability when integrating renewable energy sources. While renewables present clear…

Changwon’s ambitious $950 million investment in a liquid hydrogen plant now faces operational challenges. The plant, expected to deepen South Korea’s leadership in hydrogen technology, stands underutilized, raising questions about strategic foresight and market readiness. Launched as part of the country’s broader agenda to transition to cleaner energy sources, this plant was anticipated to significantly boost the hydrogen economy. However, the key issue remains its underperformance and delay in reaching full operational capacity. According to industry insiders, one of the contributing factors to this sluggish start is the lack of an integrated supply chain that can support the plant’s full…

Clearway Energy is beginning the construction of a $605 million energy storage portfolio in Utah. This development is not just a significant financial investment; it represents a strategic shift in addressing the growing need for energy storage solutions within the renewable energy sector. With the energy storage market anticipated to grow by 30% annually over the next five years, according to data from the Global Energy Storage Alliance, Clearway’s move is both timely and necessary. The energy storage project seeks to resolve a critical bottleneck in renewable energy deployment—intermittency. As solar and wind energy sources surge, their variability imposes substantial…

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has heralded an era of potential revolution in commercial transportation by unveiling a hydrogen internal combustion engine tailored for 18-wheelers. This innovation could markedly reduce carbon emissions from trucks, which current estimates suggest contribute to 23% of emissions within the U.S. transportation sector. However, there’s a cavernous gap between the development of such technology and the readiness of hydrogen infrastructure, particularly across vast terrains like Texas and the entirety of the United States. Presently, infrastructure deficit is a formidable barrier. Hydrogen, notorious for its storage complexities and flammability, lacks widespread fueling stations. Most current stations…

Whyalla, a city with industrial ambitions, recently witnessed a pivotal shift as plans for a $600 million hydrogen plant were put on hold. This decision coincides with the government’s introduction of a substantial support package for the local steelworks, marking a significant turn in the region’s economic strategy. The shelving of the hydrogen plant project hints at the broader complexities facing the hydrogen industry, despite its ambition to serve as a linchpin in the global transition towards renewable energy. The proposed hydrogen plant in Whyalla was set to propel the city into a hub for clean energy, leveraging Australia’s abundant…

In recent years, the global energy sector has witnessed a growing emphasis on smart grid technologies. These advanced systems are increasingly seen as vital in addressing power stability concerns. For example, data from the International Energy Agency indicates that global electricity demand increased by 4% in 2022, a trend expected to continue as electrification and digitalization expand. This rising demand highlights the critical need for infrastructure capable of maintaining reliable power distribution while integrating renewable energy sources. One of the most significant challenges smart grids aim to mitigate is the prevalence of blackouts, which have costly economic impacts. According to…

Dr. Frank Zwaan, a geoscientist at the University of Lausanne, is using plate tectonic simulations to identify the best geological conditions for natural hydrogen generation and accumulation.