Much of the objection to the use of wind and solar power generation is that it is erratic in its supply, rising and falling according to the available wind or sun. Batteries are one method of storage, but are expensive and impractical at large scales. Storing the energy in hydrogen is another option, but up to now usually required the use of platinum, which is also too expensive for large-scale application. However, a new, cheap method for making hydrogen and releasing energy from it has been developed at Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, France, which doesn't require the use of platinum, potentially offering a single device both for converting energy into hydrogen and for converting that into electricity when needed. The next step is to optimise the process, so it can compete in its efficiency with platinum-based cells.
(New Scientist) | For further info...