Big news from central Utah! A small town there is gearing up to become home to an innovative underground “battery” that stores hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Here’s the scoop: Developers are digging two massive caverns deep into a geological salt formation near Delta, Utah. These caverns, as tall as the Empire State Building, will store hydrogen gas. They’re set to be finished next year.
So, how does it work? Well, nearby, they’ll produce hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. Basically, they’ll use extra solar and wind power in the spring and fall when energy demand is low. Then, they’ll store it until summer when energy demand is high. At that point, they’ll burn it at a power plant along with natural gas.
Now, burning hydrogen doesn’t release planet-warming pollution, which is great news for the environment. But, the eco-friendliness of the new plant depends on how much natural gas they use.
But here’s the really cool part: This facility will replace a coal plant, helping to clean up the air for local residents. Coal pollution can cause all sorts of health problems, so this switch is a big win.
Investing in clean energy sources like hydrogen is super important for fighting climate change. Coal, oil, and gas are the biggest contributors to planet-warming pollution, so finding alternatives is key.
And speaking of alternatives, green hydrogen is gaining popularity in the U.S. A factory in Texas, for example, is planning to produce green hydrogen using wind and solar power.
But there are challenges ahead. Upgrading infrastructure to use 100% hydrogen could be costly. Still, experts are optimistic about the Utah project. It’ll help manage surplus electricity from renewable energy projects and could be a game-changer for clean energy.
