STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF SOLAR-ENERGY ON A MASSIVE SCALE - THE HYDROGEN OPTION

A less conventional approach is proposed in this paper to store solar energy. It implies the decomposition of water to produce hydrogen using energy from the Sun (in the form of heat and/or electricity). The conversion of solar radiation first into usable energy is viewed in this investigation via three possibilities: direct energy conversion (DEC) using PV cells fro water electrolysis, concentration to thermal energy using a central receiver system (CRS) for the electrolysis and the thermochemical decomposition of water and helio-hydro-electric power generation (HHE) for water electrolysis. Thermodynamic features of the water-splitting processes-including thermochemical cycles-are described. Experimental findings using small-scale photovoltaic electrolysis units are reported fro the production of hydrogen. Finally, the criteria for selecting regions and locations for hydrogen production on a massive scale in some parts of the Arab World are established.