"Hydro-pneumatic Energy Storage for Offshore Green Hydrogen Generation
Figure 1: Visual representation of the offshore wind energy, FLASC energy storage and Hydrogen production concept.
Project team members:Oleksii Pirotti, Diane Scicluna, Robert N. Farrugia, Tonio Sant, Daniel Buhagiar and Jessica Settino
The current trend in the EU is to reduce the emissions of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere and develop a decarbonised economy. One of the more sustainable ways towards reaching this objective is by investing into renewable energy (RE) technologies. Given that Malta is strategically located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the potential for using wind energy should not be overlooked. The offshore wind industry has been attracting a lot of attention due to the increasing prices of fossil fuels and the need for greater security in energy supply chains. But why look towards the offshore environment?
Due to the small size of the Maltese Islands and the high population density, there is limited space to install renewable energy technologies onshore. Moreover, open marine spaces offer higher wind speeds with better opportunities for power generation. Current and upcoming offshore wind projects are focusing on areas having significant wind resources and shallow sea depths, such as those found in the North Sea. Although wind resources in the Mediterranean region are lower than in the North Sea, a potential for wind generation still exists. Currently, there is only one offshore wind farm in the Mediterranean and this is located near the port of Taranto in Italy.
Recently, the Maltese Government published a Preliminary Market Consultation for the proposal of economic activities within Malta''s offshore Exclusive Economic Zone. This offers opportunities for diverse activities including, but not limited to the production of renewable energy from offshore resources and the production and storage of Hydrogen.
Although wind energy generation comes with significant benefits, its intermittency makes it a challenging resource to work with and to predict. Supply and demand mismatches could mean that wind generated electricity might need to be curtailed, or wasted, if the supply exceeds the demand. Likewise, any deficits due to low or no wind would have to be compensated by other means. This is where energy storage comes in. Storage is important for both on and off the grid applications which rely on a RE source for supplying electrical power. Various different storage technologies exist such as pumped hydro storage, chemical energy storage, thermal energy storage and compressed air energy storage, amongst others.
Following the decarbonisation trend is Hydrogen generation (H2), which in now seen as an important medium for long duration storage. There are already viable options to use Hydrogen, such as for road transport and aviation, for short-range and heavy-goods vehicles. Hydrogen can be produced by various means and the mode of production is usually assigned a defining colour. For example, Hydrogen produced using fossil fuels has a by-product of Carbon dioxide and is consequently dubbed "Grey" Hydrogen. "Blue" Hydrogen is also produced using fossil fuels but in this case, the Carbon Dioxide emitted is captured and stored.
Integration of the FLASC energy storage system into the offshore wind and hydrogen production system makes it possible to smoothen the variable wind power supplied to the Hydrogen plant thus improving operational hours for the Hydrogen-producing equipment. Power smoothening by means of integrated storage is shown in Figure 2.
Research is underway investigating the behaviour of the FLASC energy storage system and its contributions towards the decarbonisation of an offshore green Hydrogen production process. The HydroGenEration project team is conducting a review of current and emerging technologies'' status, looking at local prospective sites in terms of utilisation, constraints and opportunities, identifying stakeholders and conducting numerical modelling on the interactions between the different components and processes as a means of producing green hydrogen in an offshore environment for the further decarbonisation of our environment.
HydroGenEration is an ongoing two-year research project of the University of Malta and its spin out company FLASC B.V., which is based in the Netherlands. Project "Hydro-pneumatic Energy Storage for Offshore Green Hydrogen Generation – HydroGenEration" (Ref.: EWA 64/22) is financed by The Energy and Water Agency under the National Strategy for Research and Innovation in Energy and Water (2021-2030).
This project is utilising coastal wind data collected using a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system that was purchased through European Regional Development Fund for the setting up of a Solar Laboratory (ERDF 335), part-financed by the European Union.
For further information about project HydroGenEration, please contact Dr Ing. Robert N. Farrugia, via email.
FLASC has been engaged in studies with the University of Malta to evaluate Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage as a means of smoothing power input for offshore green hydrogen production.
Wind4H2[1] was an early feasibility study to evaluate integration of FLASC HPES with offshore green hydrogen production. A follow-up project HydroGenEration[2] was awarded in 2022 to evaluate optimisation of hydrogen production specifically in lower wind climates, such as the Central Mediterranean.
These developments have led to:
[1] The WIND4H2 project was supported through the Maritime Seed Award (MarSA) 2019, a joint initiative between Transport Malta (formerly Malta Marittima) and the University of Malta supported by the TAKEOFF Business Incubator, Knowledge Transfer Office and the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation (CEBI) at the University of Malta.
[2] Hydro-pneumatic Energy Storage for Offshore Green Hydrogen Generation – HydroGenEration – Ref.: EWA 64/22 is financed by the Energy and Water Agency under the National Strategy for Research and Innovation in Energy and Water (2021-2030).
The Maltese government is exploring the possibility of having hydrogen and blends of other renewable fuels, including bio-methane, delivered to Malta through a gas pipeline from Gela in Sicily from 2030 onwards.
A tender for a market research survey issued by Melita TransGas, the national company entrusted with the pipeline project, aimed at gauging the interest of potential investors in hydrogen production, storage and transportation.
The prospect of securing EU funds for a hydrogen-ready pipeline were boosted after energy minister Miriam Dalli secured a derogation in 2021 to have Malta’s gas pipeline, which lost out on Connecting Europe Facility funds, be once again in with a chance as an EU project of common interest.
About Hydrogen energy storage malta
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Hydrogen energy storage malta have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Hydrogen energy storage malta for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Hydrogen energy storage malta featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
