Operational and Maintenance Costs
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Fixed Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Costs:
- The fixed O&M costs for hydrogen energy storage systems (HESS) can be significant. For instance, without including property taxes, insurance, licensing, and permitting, the costs are estimated at about $12.8 per kW per year. Including these additional factors, costs can rise to approximately $47.9 per kW per year.
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Variable O&M Costs:
- Variable costs play a role as well. For hydrogen storage systems, basic variable O&M costs, which include maintenance items such as water and lubrication, are estimated at about $0.0005 per kWh. Additionally, costs associated with stack replacement in fuel cells can add roughly $0.8 per MWh, which is dependent on energy throughput.
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Storage Maintenance:
- The maintenance for storage systems is also tied to their capital costs. The O&M cost for storage systems is typically around 2.1% of the capital cost. This can become a significant factor over the lifespan of a storage system, which is generally projected at about 20-30 years, depending on the technology used.
Infrastructure Costs
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Infrastructure and Transport:
- One of the major long-term costs related to hydrogen energy storage is the infrastructure needed for the storage and transportation of hydrogen. Reports indicate that the cost of building dedicated hydrogen infrastructure could be substantial, contributing to annual operating costs that could exceed $400 per MWh for hydrogen-fired power generation, depending on the operational setup and local conditions.
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Lifecycle Cost Implications:
- The lifecycle costs also include capital expenditure on the necessary infrastructure, which is critical as it affects the overall cost-efficiency of hydrogen energy systems. Estimates for cavern storage systems range from $2 to $10 per kWh, which can significantly impact long-term financial planning for hydrogen storage projects.
Future Projections and Considerations
As the technology matures, advancements in system design and efficiency could lead to reductions in O&M and infrastructure costs. However, current projections emphasize that while hydrogen storage can address long-duration energy needs, it remains more expensive compared to battery storage and other renewable technologies due to these maintenance and infrastructure costs.
In summary, while hydrogen energy storage systems offer potential benefits for long-duration energy storage, their long-term maintenance costs, driven by fixed and variable O&M expenses, stack replacements, and necessary infrastructure, can be significant.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-long-term-maintenance-costs-for-hydrogen-energy-storage-systems/
