REMOTE has demonstrated 3 DEMOs based on H2-batteries integrated systems in three different sites of EU.
The DEMO-Greece (Agkistro) has achieved the longest duration. Started in 2020 and ended at the (delayed) end of the project in June 2023, it has accumulated a good number of hours of operation. The storage system has been fed by a local hydroelectric plant, and has served a local medium size agri-food industry. The roundtrip efficiency has been varying along the months (from 50% to 80%) with average values of around 60%. The technologies have been quite reliable, with no significant degradations. The system is still running in Greece.
The DEMO-Norway (Rye) has been probably the most performing one. Developed in 2019 and 2020, it has been in continuous operation during the whole 2021. It has demonstrated the high flexibility and reliability of the control system, suitable to control the continuous 24/7 operation of the storage plant. The storage system has been fed by a local wind generator and PV plant, and has served a local large size agri-food industry. The roundtrip efficiency has been varying along the months (from 60% to 90%) with average values of around 70%. The technologies have been quite reliable, with no significant degradations. The system has bene demonstrated and then stopped.
The DEMO-Spain (La Aldea, Gran Canaria) is now probably the most modern one. Developed in 2022-2023, it has been in continuous operation during Spring-Summer 2023. It is totally automatic in control (form remote) and is based on very robust technologies (both electrolysis and fuel cell sections, and battery section). The storage system is fed by a local PV plant, and is serving a local large size isolated farm. The roundtrip efficiency so far is high, with average values of around 70%. The system is still running in Grana Canaria, and it will be used in the coming years.
The Consortium analyzed the results of the operation of the DEMO plants in terms of performance KPIs and providing an environmental analysis. In terms of efficiency, the DEMO plants showed a total round-trip efficiency always > 50%, with higher values (up to 90%) in the few periods dominated by batteries. In terms of environmental impact, the DEMOs showed a positive performance, saving large amounts of CO2eq emissions already in demonstration phase.
The Consortium has developed tools for the optimal design of RES-based H2-batteries storage solutions. The tool has been validated using the data from the 3 DEMOs, and the it is probably the most advanced tool at international level for the optimal design of the systems (optimization of the CAPEX) and the optimal day-by-day management (optimization of the OPEX). This tool is a fundamental exploitation of the project, and the Consortium is already using it in several other projects.
The exploitation has been huge. The technology providers have now better information of the performances and degradation of their products (fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries). The system integrators have achieved a huge experience in assembly and control the H2-battery hybrid storage systems. The electrical utilities and end user have now familiarized and learned to use these type of storage systems. The research centers have learned how to design and operate in the best way these storage systems, developed tools, and exploit these experiences in the didactic activities.
