Publication

Imports versus domestic production of sustainable hydrogen-based fuels: Impact on energy system flexibility needs

2025

Abstract

The transition away from fossil fuels in the energy sector is accelerating with the increasing integration of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar photovoltaics (PV). However, these renewable sources introduce significant challenges, particularly in maintaining a constant balance between energy production and demand due to their intermittent nature. One promising solution lies in long-term energy storage by Power-to-X-to-Power (PtXtP), which allows surplus electricity from high-production periods to be used to produce a new energy carrier (X), which can then be used to produce electricity during low-production periods. This approach is particularly important for addressing seasonal imbalances, such as excess summer production and higher winter demand. Reliance on such systems should be avoided as much as possible, as PtXtP technologies are associated with high cost due to low round-trip efficiency (

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2025

Abstract

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not. For example, some biomass sources are considered unsustainable at current rates of exploitation. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling.

Sustainable energy

Energy is sustainable if it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Most definitions of sustainable energy include considerations of environmental aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions and social and economic aspects such as energy poverty. Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric power, solar, and geothermal energy are generally far more sustainable than fossil fuel sources.

Energy storage

Energy storage is the capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time to reduce imbalances between energy demand and energy production. A device that stores energy is generally called an accumulator or battery. Energy comes in multiple forms including radiation, chemical, gravitational potential, electrical potential, electricity, elevated temperature, latent heat and kinetic. Energy storage involves converting energy from forms that are difficult to store to more conveniently or economically storable forms.

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Imports versus domestic production of sustainable hydrogen-based fuels: Impact on energy system flexibility needs

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