Australian tech-company LAVO has developed a hydrogen energy storage system for residential solar systems. It’s the world’s first integrated hybrid hydrogen battery that connects with rooftop solar to deliver reliable, sustainable, and renewable green energy to your home and business. The system sits on the side of your house or shop in the form of an attractive cabinet.
LAVO’s Hydrogen Battery System, developed in partnership with UNSW Sydney and Design + Industry, consists of an electrolysis system, fuel cell power, and hydrogen storage array packed into one cabinet. When homeowners aren’t using the electricity from the rooftop solar system, the excess energy is stored as hydrogen. This serves as fuel for the fuel cell when the solar system isn’t producing electricity.
The System measures around 1.68 m high by 1.20 m wide (66 x 47 inches) and weighs as much as 324 kg (714 lbs), making it highly unlikely to be stolen by a thief. The hydrogen is stowed in a patented metal hydride ‘sponge’ at 435 psi or 0 bar pressure.
LAVO’s hydrogen hybrid battery delivers a continuous output of 5 kW and stores more than 40kWh of electricity. That’s three times as much as Tesla’s house battery Powerwall 2 (which stores 13.5 kWh) and enough power to run an average home for two days on a single charge!
Since the system is designed to connect with existing solar panels easily, LAVO has a significant opportunity to have an immediate impact. Users monitor and control the system via Wi-Fi connectivity and a phone app. Businesses that need more power can run several batteries in parallel to create a virtual green power plant.
The 1937 Hindenburg disaster has caused many people to see hydrogen as an unsafe fuel. However, LAVO ensures that any leaks will disperse rapidly, making it no more dangerous than gasoline or natural gas. LAVO’s hydrogen hybrid battery has a lifespan of around 30 years, which is 3x longer than lithium batteries.
The innovative hydrogen storage should be ready for installation by the coming months. It will cost US$26,900 (AU$34,750) for the first 2.5K units and will require a refundable deposit to secure LAVO pre-orders. In the last quarter of 2022, the price is set to drop to US$22,800 (AU$29,450), by which point LAVO expects it to be available internationally.
