A Method For Storing Wind and Solar Energy

A frequently discussed problem with wind and solar power is how to store the energy until it is needed. That is, the sun does not shine 24/7, and wind is a sporadic thing.

A suggested answer is to use solar/wind electric power to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen can be released into the atmosphere and the hydrogen can be stored until needed. The stored hydrogen can subsequently be burned to drive steam turbines and hence to regenerate electric power. The byproduct of this combustion is water vapor.

Other proposed energy storage methods have included the pumping of water into reservoirs carved out in mountains (subsequently driving water turbines on demand), and the storage of compressed air in underground caverns. It seems to this writer that these methods would require a greater initial investment and would not necessarily be available in the immediate vicinity of wind/solar power production.

With regard to the storage of hydrogen, most of us have seen field-house-type enclosures held up by internal air pressure. These support-column-free structures can be enormous inside. Since hydrogen is lighter than air, the hydrogen produced by any of several methods can be piped into the structures, with displaced air being vented as needed out of the bottom. When subsequently appropriate, the hydrogen can be removed from the top (with air being pumped in at the bottom in order to maintain the needed pressure differential between the inside and outside of the structure).

These structures can be conveniently constructed wherever such storage is needed (i.e. in close proximity to solar and wind "farms"). Assuming water is available at the power production sites, the method warrants consideration.