Wind generation stabilization using a hydrogen buffer

Wind generation is increasing substantially its share in the electricity generation portfolio in many countries. In the case of Spain, it can be more than double in the next four years, reaching a 20 GW level. To become competitive in a liberalized market, wind energy reliability requirements should be guaranteed. Storage systems are being considered to avoid the impact on the electricity generation process of the lack of adequate winds. In this paper, a solution to wind generated electrical power availability is proposed. It is based on the use of the electricity surplus, during low demand hours, for hydrogen generation and storage. This hydrogen could be used later to feed fuel cells and compensate wind generator output during peak demand hours. Assuming different scenarios for the electricity markets and the wind farm operation, the minimum requirements on energy efficiency of a storage system based on the use of hydrogen as energy vector to become economical competitive for each of those scenarios are deduced.