Storing energy from Wind power in the form of Hydrogen?

Silent Runner

I was at a talk today about energy in Ireland and it was discused about how unreliable wind power is; how it could be blowing all night and not during the day or that it never blows when we are snowed under (just when we need it!). Anyways the speacker was talking about how unreliable stored hydro is (i.e pumping it up to a man made reservoir). But he never mentioned anything about pruducing Hydrogen, which I think isn't all that hard to do in comparison to stored hydro. You could produce hydrogen by electrolosis, store the hydrogen and burn it when needed. I was going to ask him about it but didn't get the chance.

Anyone know why this doesn't seem to get a mention?

riffmongous

Interesting idea, I'm afraid I don't think I have much to contribute technically though.

Hmm, a quick search gives this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_economy#Environmental_concerns

Check the 'enviromental concerns' and 'costs' sections.