Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Integration in ASEAN and East Asian Countries: Prospects of Hydrogen as a Energy Carrier vs. Other Alternatives

Abstract

This study investigates the economics of using hydrogen to store renewable energy and subsequently consumed by downstream applications in ASEAN and East Asian countries. For the power sector, the cost of storing and then delivering each kilowatt-hour of renewable energy, which includes the cost of producing hydrogen, transporting and storing hydrogen, and then converting it into electricity, is compared with alternatives such as batteries and pumped hydropower. For transport sector, a well-to-wheel model is used to compare the cost of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) powered by hydrogen sourced from renewable energy sources (RESs) with the cost of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). To substantiate the desktop research, the study interviewed experts and visited sites to investigate existing and potential demonstration projects that apply such energy storage concepts, to identify lessons, experience, and key barriers given technology levels and supply chain costs. Chapter 2 reviews the literature on relevant topics. Chapter 3 discusses quantitative studies on the economics of using hydrogen to store renewable energy and the well-to-wheel model to assess the cost of FCEVs in ASEAN and East Asian countries. Chapter 4 summarises the findings from visits to demonstration projects in China and Japan. Chapter 5 concludes with policy implications.