Engie EPS Unveils Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage System in Greece

Engie EPS has unveiled its hydrogen-based energy storage system built with its proprietary technology in Greece.

Engie EPS, has announced the unveiling of the hydrogen-based energy storage system built with its proprietary technology in Agkistro, Greece.

The Agkistro site, presented in October in an event attended by numerous representatives of Greek authorities and of the technical and academic community, has been developed in the frame of the EU-H2020 funded project entitled “Remote area Energy supply with Multiple Options for integrated hydrogen-based Technologies” (REMOTE).

The project aims to demonstrate the advantages of hydrogen-based technologies for renewable energy storage in isolated and off-grid areas and has been awarded as the best renewable energy project in the Innovation section at the European Sustainable Energy Week 2020.

The technology introduced by Engie is expected to enable the Greek renewable energy player HORIZON S.A. to supply an energy independent agri-food processing unit, using part of the produced energy from the nearby HORIZON owned hydroelectric plant to produce hydrogen, which will be then stored and used for power generation when needed.

“Engie EPS has pioneered hydrogen since 2005, and has been at the forefront of battery storage and microgrids since 2012” said Carlalberto Guglielminotti, ENGIE EPS’ CEO and General Manager. “With the finalisation of the Agkistro’s plant, our hydrogen proprietary technology is now proven in 4 continents as the only available option to make microgrids 100 percent green. For the future, we are also targeting utility-scale opportunities as system integrator and technology provider, leveraging our patented technology platform and unparalleled hydrogen and storage experience for our Industrial Solutions product line.”

EPS’ equipment in Agkistro consists of a hydrogen “Power-to-Power” system made by an electrolyser, converting electricity into hydrogen (Power-to-Gas), and a fuel cell system, converting hydrogen stored in large quantities back to electricity (Gas-to-Power), both based on ENGIE EPS’ proprietary technology covered by more than 130 patents.

The system will benefit from the continuous availability of the renewable hydroelectric energy that allows to minimise the Power-to-Gas sizing, while covering peak load request and guaranteeing back up energy thanks to the 500 kWh hydrogen storage equivalent net energy. The commissioning and Site Acceptance Test have been completed successfully.