%0 Journal Article
%A Kenji Shiraishi
%A Won Young Park
%A Daniel M Kammen
%B Environmental Research Letters
%D 2024
%N 8
%R 10.1088/1748-9326/ad5856
%T The role of hydrogen as long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier for electricity sector decarbonization
%U https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad5856
%V 19
%8 07/2024
%X <p>With countries and economies around the globe increasingly relying on non-dispatchable variable<br>renewable energy (VRE), the need for effective energy storage and international carriers of<br>low-carbon energy has intensified. This study delves into hydrogen’s prospective, multifaceted<br>contribution to decarbonizing the electricity sector, with emphasis on its utilization as a scalable<br>technology for long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier. Using Japan as<br>a case study, based on its ambitious national hydrogen strategy and plans to import liquefied<br>hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel source, we employ advanced models encompassing capacity<br>expansion and hourly dispatch. We explore diverse policy scenarios to unravel the timing, quantity,<br>and operational intricacies of hydrogen deployment within a power system. Our findings highlight<br>the essential role of hydrogen in providing a reliable power supply by balancing mismatches in VRE<br>generation and load over several weeks and months and reducing the costs of achieving a<br>zero-emission power system. The study recommends prioritizing domestically produced hydrogen,<br>leveraging renewables for cost reduction, and strategically employing imported hydrogen as a risk<br>hedge against potential spikes in battery storage and renewable energy costs. Furthermore, the<br>strategic incorporation of hydrogen mitigates system costs and enhances energy self-sufficiency,<br>informing policy design and investment strategies aligned with the dynamic global energy<br>landscape.</p>