Using electrochemical hydrogen compressor in reverse

[cyberdiver]

Electrochemical hydrogen compressors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochemical_hydrogen_compressor) basically convert an electrical potential difference into a pressure difference. Would it be possible to run one of these in reverse, i.e. using a pressure difference to create a voltage? If it would, would it be a viable means of energy storage?

There's an interesting presentation on the capabilities of EHCs by FuelCell Energy here: https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/review12/pd048_lipp_2012_o.pdf

 

[rootone]

It sounds possible, but would it be any more effective than other well known power storage systems?

 

[Bystander]

Would it be possible to run one of these in reverse, i.e. using a pressure difference to create a voltage?

Yes.

If it would, would it be a viable means of energy storage?

No more so than any other method.

 

[cyberdiver]

It sounds possible, but would it be any more effective than other well known power storage systems?

According to FuelCell Energy, compression (I'm assuming wallplug) efficiency is 95%, so charge-discharge efficiency should be ~90%? Lithium ion batteries get 80-90% by comparison. I'm not exactly sure how to go about calculating the energy density of such a system just yet.