The relevance of energy storages for an autarky of electricity supply ...

4.5.3 SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
+ Existing experience in handling compressed
gases
+ Seasonal energy storage without energy loss
over time
+ Able to handle poor fluctuations and therefore
ideal for integration with intermittent
renewable energy sources
+ Renewables can become “dispatchable”
(guaranteed power from renewables)
+ Potential for low and predictable O&M costs
+ Reduced environmental impact compared to
conventional energy systems
+ Cheaper storage for a longer period of time
+ High energy density by weight (Wh/kg)
+ Easy to be implemented in different capacity
size ranges from KW to several MW
+ Can provide surplus hydrogen off-gas for road
transportations
Opportunities Threats
+ Emergence of large-scale markets for
hydrogen energy applications
+ Already existing Stand-Alone Power Systems
driven by Renewable Energy Sources in which
hydrogen technologies can be incorporated as
a replacement of batteries
+ New job opportunities
+ Diversification of companies involved in the
energy sector
– Technology immaturity of fuel cells and PEM
electrolysers
– Low availability and high cost of small
electrolysers
– Lack of component and system lifetime
experience
– Low component efficiency
– Missing codes and standards
– Lack of after sales support
– Weak supply network (providers, installers,
etc.)
– Lack of public awareness
– Lack of recycling and reuse schemes for
hydrogen technology
– Hydrogen is highly flammable
– High construction cost at present
– Relatively low round trip efficiency
– Limited practical experience due to few true
Stand-Alone Power Systems with hydrogen as
an energy carrier (H-SAPS) installed
– Competing technologies have proved to be
perfectly adequate
– Potential end users have no experience in H2
technologies
– Inadequate legislative framework (standards,
regulations, permissions of installation)
Table 4.5: SWOT Analysis for H2 production from RES (Lymberopoulos, 2007; Alamri, 2009)
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