Hydrogen is increasingly becoming a popular energy source because people are appreciating how diverse it is. For instance, hydrogen can be used to generate power for people, whilst it can also be used on specific types of electric vehicles. In a sheer display of the USA’s commitment toward diversifying its energy sources, Duke Energy Florida launched the first US energy system designed to generate, store, and run entirely on green hydrogen.
Duke Energy Florida enters the fray: A general overview
One of the most spoken about aspects of Duke Energy’s initiative is that the US is electing to rely on a homegrown corporation rather than collaborating with a foreign one. This decision signals the company’s advancement and ability to fulfil projects that not many can. It is vital for the state of Florida to possess the first energy system in the United States that is capable of producing, storing, and combusting up to 100% green hydrogen.
The state is already renowned for having a rich portfolio of energy-related resources, with the latest energy system expected to be built along Duke Energy Florida’s 74.5MW DeBary solar facility that supplies the clean electricity required to power hydrogen production. One of the core elements of the system is two electrolyzer units. These play the critical role of utilizing electricity to split water (H₂O) into oxygen and hydrogen through a scientific process called electrolysis.
Generating, storing, and running on green hydrogen: Delving deeper into the electrolysis process
Hydrogen production is one of the most analyzed processes of energy generation because of the scientific involvement in it. Many people understand the basics of electricity, transforming water into oxygen, but they are not entirely sure what happens afterwards. Following the transformation, the oxygen is released safely into the air, and the hydrogen gas, which at that stage is considered “green” after being produced through renewable energy, is then collected.
When solar energy is converted into hydrogen, the system will now have a storable fuel that can be used during the period when there is no sunlight. Many people have offered criticism towards solar energy because it is not always reliable or consistently generated, considering that it depends on the availability of the sun. Thus, the system posits a possible fix to this issue after multiple decades of pondering.
The first system of its kind: A further review of the storing process
When the green hydrogen is produced, it is stored in containers at the infamous DeBary site. In comparing the storage of green hydrogen to battery storage, the main difference is that battery storage temporarily holds electricity, whereas compressed hydrogen can be stored for longer periods. Simply put, the storing of green hydrogen is like saving money for a rainy day because the hydrogen is useful amidst peak electricity demand.
Understanding how the Turbine has been designed specifically for green hydrogen combustion
The energy system features a combustion engine that has been elevated through GE Vernova technology, giving it the ability to accept hydrogen as fuel. The significance of this Turbine is that whilst most of the US’s turbines operate on natural gas, this one can run on a combination of hydrogen and natural gas.
One of the most interesting things about the recent Duke Energy Florida launch of the first US energy system designed to generate, store, and run entirely on green hydrogen is that it is most certainly destined to create a blueprint for many other states and countries worldwide to follow. The reason why more and more nations are able to execute projects that would have otherwise seemed impossible is because of the ongoing technological innovation that removes all the limitations previously placed on energy development.
