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Review and Analysis on Outlook of Bi-directional Hydrogen Energy Storage in New Power System in China

Ref C1_11473_2026 • 2026
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Summary

Hydrogen enhances flexibility in power systems with high wind and solar penetration. It can serve as one-directional (OHES) or bi-directional hydrogen energy storage (BHES). OHES uses surplus renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen for industrial feedstock, while

BHES converts hydrogen back to power via fuel cells or gas turbines. Currently, BHES faces controversy, and systematic analyses of its prospects in China are lacking. This paper assesses

China's new power system flexibility needs across different time scales and examines major hydrogen-to-power technologies, including proton exchange membrane (PEFC), solid oxide

(SOFC), phosphoric acid (PAFC), molten carbonate (MCFC) fuel cells, open-cycle (OCGT), and combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGT). A global review of BHES prospects reveals reasons behind conflicting conclusions. The levelized cost of storage (LCOS) for BHES using four fuel cell types and gas turbines is calculated for 2024, 2030, and 2050 under varying annual utilization hours. Results indicate that hydrogen will primarily function as OHES, while BHES has limited prospects in China even by 2050. This is due to high costs from low round-trip efficiency (two-stage energy conversion), high capital expenditures for hydrogenbased power generation, and the availability of superior flexibility alternatives in China.

Additional informations

Publication type Session Materials
Reference C1_11473_2026
Publication year
Publisher CIGRE
Country China, People's Republic of
Study committees
File size 422 KB
Price for non member 30 €
Price for member 30 €

Authors

CHENG Junzhao - Power Grid Planning and Construction Research Center Yunnan Power Grid, Co.,LTD; DUAN Yanru - Power Grid Planning and Construction Research Center Yunnan Power Grid, Co.,LTD; DU Chong - Power Grid Planning and Construction Research Center Yunnan Power Grid, Co.,LTD; LIU Hongyin - Power Grid Planning and Construction Research Center Yunnan Power Grid, Co.,LTD

Keywords

Wind power; solar power;flexibility; storage; hydrogen; fuel cell; open-cycle gas turbine; combined-cycle gas turbine; levelized cos of storage(LCOS)

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Review and Analysis on Outlook of Bi-directional Hydrogen Energy Storage in New Power System in China