The DeBary production storage system, located in Volusia County, Florida, uses an existing 74.5MW solar plant to power two 1MW electrolyser units, producing hydrogen stored on-site for use in a combustion turbine.

By converting excess daytime solar power into hydrogen and storing it for later use, the system allows renewable energy to be dispatched when it is most needed, rather than when it is generated.

During periods of peak electricity demand, the system delivers stored hydrogen to a gas turbine recently upgraded by Massachusetts-based GE Vernova, capable of running on natural gas-hydrogen blends or up to 100% hydrogen.

Duke Energy says the system makes natural gas turbines more flexible by addressing the challenge of renewables intermittency.

“This process makes the natural gas turbines more flexible and diversifies Duke Energy Florida’s generation fleet to support the expansion of renewable energy”, the company said in a statement.

The DeBary system was originally scheduled to be fully operational by 2024.

Unlike batteries, which typically provide short-duration storage, hydrogen can be stored for longer periods, making it potentially suitable for multi-hour or multi-day balancing.