Hydrogen in the grid, batteries and floating wind: 5 most-read energy stories 2022

Of all the engineering sectors, energy has the biggest role to play in ensuring society can reach net zero and make significant in-roads in the fight against climate change. Nuclear power and renewable sources such as wind and solar already provide significant amounts of low- and zero-carbon electricity worldwide, but new technologies and techniques are constantly joining them, providing fresh ways to generate, store and use energy.

Here are the five most-read Professional Engineering energy stories of 2022. Click on the links throughout to read the full stories. 

Burning hydrogen at home

Hydrogen could heat homes around the country from 2023, according to the most-read story of the year, with all five of Britain’s gas grid companies preparing capability to provide the gas. Up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used could be replaced by hydrogen, the Energy Networks Association said in January. Adding hydrogen to the gas mix would also mean that the country’s gas-fired power plants could use it to generate cleaner electricity.

3 potential alternatives to lithium-ion

Lithium-ion is the dominant battery technology in automotive and other sectors, but some alternatives could become more prominent in the years to come. In the Big Battery Challenge, we looked at three challengers: sodium-ion, solid-state batteries, and lithium-sulphur. 

Is lithium-ion dominance set to last?

This piece, from the same series, asked three experts if lithium-ion’s dominance will last. Here’s what they had to say. 

Beyond batteries and pumped-hydro for large-scale energy storage

Large-scale electricity storage will play a vital role in future low-carbon energy systems based around renewable energy technologies, managing the mismatch between electricity demand and non-dispatchable generation. Pumped hydro and large-scale batteries are the most discussed grid-scale options, but they both have some significant drawbacks. Here are some of the most promising alternatives, as selected by researchers at the Clean Energy Processes Laboratory at Imperial College London. 

Floating wind takes over the conversation

In January, an announcement came that will alter the course of the flourishing offshore wind industry. Crown Estate Scotland approved leases for 17 projects, representing 25GW of new capacity – roughly two-thirds of which would be provided by floating turbines. Described as “one of the country’s biggest ever steps towards net zero,” the ScotWind leases will transform a niche technology into a major supplier of zero-carbon energy – and the UK’s head start could prove extremely valuable. 

Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.

Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.