The research was conducted by Esther Hesline Palandi of Malang State Polytechnic, Maria Joana Baptista Barbosa of the National University of Timor Loro’sae in Dili, and Bakri of STAI Darul Qalam Tangerang. Their work focused on the southern coastal region of West Java, Indonesia, an area known for strong renewable energy potential but also highly variable weather conditions that affect electricity generation.
The findings are important as many countries accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Solar and wind power are environmentally friendly, but both sources produce intermittent energy because they depend on sunlight intensity and wind speed. Rapid changes in weather can cause unstable electricity output, leading to frequency disturbances, voltage instability, and potential supply interruptions.
The study suggests that hydrogen energy storage systems may provide a practical solution for stabilizing renewable power systems, especially in isolated microgrids and regions with high renewable energy penetration.
Renewable Energy Stability Remains a Global Challenge
Renewable energy adoption has increased worldwide due to climate change concerns and the push for low-carbon energy systems. However, maintaining grid stability remains one of the biggest technical challenges facing solar and wind power integration.
In hybrid microgrids that rely heavily on renewable energy, electricity production can fluctuate rapidly within minutes. Without a balancing mechanism, these fluctuations may damage equipment, reduce power quality, and disrupt electricity supply continuity.
According to the researchers, hydrogen storage systems offer several advantages compared to conventional battery technologies. Hydrogen can store energy for longer periods, has high energy density, and can act both as an energy storage medium and an energy carrier.
The research team analyzed how hydrogen storage could stabilize renewable electricity systems by converting excess electricity into hydrogen through electrolysis, storing the hydrogen in pressurized tanks, and converting it back into electricity using fuel cells when demand rises or renewable generation falls.
Simulation-Based Analysis of Hybrid Microgrids
The researchers used mathematical modeling and MATLAB/Simulink-based simulations to evaluate system performance under different operating conditions. The hybrid microgrid model included solar panels, wind turbines, hydrogen electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cells, and electrical loads.
The study simulated changing solar radiation levels, fluctuating wind speeds, and variations in electricity demand to replicate real operating conditions in coastal West Java.
The hydrogen energy storage system operated dynamically:
- Excess renewable electricity powered the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen
- Hydrogen was stored in pressurized tanks
- Fuel cells converted stored hydrogen back into electricity during energy shortages
The team also applied a predictive control model to optimize the coordination between the electrolyzer and fuel cell systems.
According to the study, the predictive control strategy improved energy distribution efficiency and helped the system respond faster to sudden changes in renewable energy generation and electricity demand.
Hydrogen Storage Reduced Power Fluctuations by 40 Percent
One of the study’s most significant findings was the reduction in power fluctuations after hydrogen storage integration.
Without hydrogen storage, the microgrid experienced power deviations ranging from minus 25 kilowatts to plus 25 kilowatts. After implementing the Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS), fluctuations were reduced to approximately minus 15 kilowatts to plus 15 kilowatts.
The researchers calculated that the fluctuation amplitude decreased from 50 kilowatts to 30 kilowatts, representing a 40 percent reduction.
The system also showed improved ramp-rate performance, meaning electricity output changed more smoothly over time. Ramp rates dropped by approximately 50 percent after HESS integration.
These improvements are important because sudden power changes can destabilize electricity grids and increase the risk of outages.
The study also found that hydrogen storage improved system frequency stability. The microgrid returned to its nominal operating frequency faster after disturbances, demonstrating that hydrogen storage acted as an effective energy buffer.
Esther Hesline Palandi and her co-authors wrote that hydrogen storage systems “function not only as an energy storage medium, but also as an active element in maintaining power balance and improving electricity supply quality.”
Optimal Hydrogen Pressure Found Between 30 and 50 Bar
The research also examined the thermodynamic and fluid mechanics aspects of hydrogen storage. The team evaluated hydrogen storage pressures at 30 bar, 50 bar, and 100 bar to determine the most efficient operating range for microgrid-scale systems.
The study found that medium-range pressures between 30 and 50 bar provided the best balance between storage efficiency, energy consumption, and operational safety.
At 30 bar, hydrogen compression required approximately 1.56 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen. At 50 bar, energy consumption increased to around 1.79 kWh/kg. However, when pressure rose to 100 bar, compression energy climbed to 2.11 kWh/kg.
Although higher pressures reduced storage tank volume, the additional energy required for compression became less efficient for small-scale renewable systems.
The researchers concluded that pressures between 30 and 50 bar are more suitable for microgrids because they provide adequate storage capacity without excessive energy penalties.
The fluid dynamics analysis also showed that pressure losses in hydrogen pipelines were relatively small compared to overall operating pressure, meaning compression energy and thermal conditions remained the dominant engineering concerns.
Implications for Renewable Energy Development
The findings may have significant implications for renewable energy development in Indonesia and other countries with high solar and wind energy potential.
Hybrid renewable microgrids equipped with hydrogen storage could help remote communities gain access to more reliable electricity while reducing dependence on diesel generators and fossil fuels.
The study also supports the growing international interest in green hydrogen technologies as part of long-term energy transition strategies.
According to the researchers, hydrogen-integrated microgrids could become an important solution for regions with highly variable renewable energy conditions, including coastal and island areas.
The authors acknowledged that the current model still assumes ideal operating conditions for some components, including constant efficiency levels for electrolyzers and fuel cells. They recommended future studies involving real-world pilot systems, component degradation analysis, and experimental validation.
Author Profiles
Esther Hesline Palandi is a researcher at Malang State Polytechnic specializing in renewable energy systems, hydrogen energy storage, and microgrid stability engineering.
Maria Joana Baptista Barbosa is affiliated with the Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Timor Loro’sae, Dili. Her interdisciplinary research includes sustainability and technological development.
Bakri is an academic researcher from STAI Darul Qalam Tangerang with interests in technology studies and sustainable development research.
Source
Palandi, Esther Hesline; Barbosa, Maria Joana Baptista; and Bakri. “Hydrogen Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Stability in Intermittent Solar and Wind Power Systems.” Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST), Vol. 5, No. 5, 2026, pp. 1165–1180.
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