The first home hydrogen battery
Lavo has introduced a groundbreaking home hydrogen battery capable of storing up to three times more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This innovative system marks the world’s first green energy storage solution that converts surplus energy into hydrogen.
While lithium-ion batteries, such as the Tesla Powerwall 2, have been widely used for home energy storage, Lavo’s new offering challenges this norm. According to reports from the “New Atlas” portal, the Australian energy company is shaking up the market by introducing its hydrogen-based storage system. Unlike conventional batteries, Lavo’s device relies on hydrogen for energy storage, presenting a promising alternative to existing technologies.
Energy storage system based on hydrogen
Lavo introduces a novel home energy storage system that, despite its different operation, serves the same purpose as conventional batteries. Housed within a large cabinet, the Lavo system incorporates an electrolysis system, fuel cell power system, and hydrogen storage unit. Due to its size, this green energy storage system is installed outside the user’s home and connected there, measuring 1680 x 1240 x 400 mm (66 x 49 x 15.7 inches) and weighing 324 kg.
The system interfaces with the home’s hybrid solar inverter and water network via a purification unit. Operating on the principle of water electrolysis, the hydrogen battery utilizes surplus energy to produce hydrogen, which is then stored in a patented hydride “sponge” at a pressure of 30 bar or 435 psi. When energy demand surges, the innovative storage system employs a fuel cell to power the home, supported by a small 5 kWh lithium buffer battery for immediate response.
Advantage of hydrogen batteries over others
The Lavo hydrogen battery boasts an impressive storage capacity of up to 40 kilowatt hours, approximately three times greater than the current Tesla Powerwall 2. This substantial energy reserve is estimated to be sufficient to power an average home for two days.
Furthermore, the accompanying phone application enables users to connect to multiple Lavo systems simultaneously, facilitating the creation of an intelligent virtual power plant. This virtual setup can be conveniently operated and monitored remotely via phone, ensuring seamless utilization of storage facilities even during periods of increased energy demand.
Doubts related to hydrogen batteries
The hydrogen-based energy storage system currently comes with a hefty price tag, costing around $26,900 in Australia, which is three times the price of Tesla’s Powerwall batteries. However, Lavo remains optimistic, projecting a price reduction to approximately $22,800 when the product becomes available worldwide, expected in the last quarter of 2022.
Despite ongoing development, concerns persist regarding the safety and performance of the new product. However, Lavo emphasizes its reliability, ease of use, and resistance to explosion-related incidents. While hydrogen is flammable, the manufacturer assures that fire risks are minimal, as any potential leaks would dissipate quickly.
Lavo positions hydrogen as the future of the clean energy sector, highlighting its longevity compared to lithium-ion batteries and its environmentally friendly nature due to reduced reliance on rare earth metals. However, the current efficiency of the batteries, barely exceeding 50%, raises questions as it falls significantly short of lithium-ion battery efficiency. Nonetheless, Lavo’s vision appears poised to shape the future of energy storage technology.
Sources:
https://newatlas.com/energy/lavo-home-hydrogen-battery-storage
https://callstartup.com/latest-news/worlds-first-home-hydrogen-battery
https://interestingengineering.com/new-home-hydrogen-battery-stores-3x-energy-of-teslas-powerwall-2
https://futurism.com/the-byte/worlds-first-home-hydrogen-battery
LAVO™ Brand Film (yt: Lavo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxHUh196VO8