Hydrogen key to long-duration storage – Entsoe

European power grid operators are exploring hydrogen as a potential route for seasonal energy storage

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (Entsoe) expects hydrogen to be critical in providing long-duration storage to fully decarbonised power systems. "Hydrogen and its derivatives are the most interesting candidates” for seasonal storage, said Antonio Iliceto of Italian TSO Terna, who also convenes Entsoe’s working group on the future of energy systems, at a recent webinar. There are many means available to power grid operators for short- and medium-duration flexibility, but very few that offer durations of a month or longer, Iliceto says. Some of the larger pumped storage hydropower plants can offer seasonal storage, but their potential is limited by geograp