Grid Balancing

Green Hydrogen for grid balancing

Our PEM electrolysers can aid the stabilisation of the electricity network, whilst also providing a source of power when alternative renewable sources are below capacity.

Utilising PEM electrolysers can plug the gap from renewable energy’s intermittent generation and provide a low carbon grid balancing solution.

The ongoing trend to deploy more renewable power sources is a positive step towards reducing dependency on fossil fuels, but it causes some big issues for electricity grid operators. Balancing the grid is becoming more challenging, because renewables are increasing the temporal mismatch between supply and demand on all timescales. Conventional grid balancing techniques cause CO2 emissions (ramping up a gas or coal power plant), so a new approach is needed for managing the emerging low-carbon power system. 

Rapid response PEM electrolysers can be used to absorb additional renewable energy on the electricity network and to provide up/down response to help stabilise frequency and voltage variations. The green hydrogen that the PEM electrolyser generates can also be stored in underground caverns, then used to generate renewable power at times when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun shining back (via a fuel cell or hydrogen gas turbine).

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The ITM Story:
A road to net-zero

Discover the role of the PEM Electrolyser in decarbonising transport and industry and reaching net-zero.