Authors: Oscar Utomo, Muditha Abeysekera, and Carlos E. Ugalde-Loo
Published in: Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3525; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063525
Date Published: 22 March 2021
Abstract:
Integrated energy systems have become an area of interest as with growing energy demand globally, means of producing sustainable energy from flexible sources is key to meet future energy demands while keeping carbon emissions low. Hydrogen is a potential solution for providing flexibility in the future energy mix as it does not emit harmful gases when used as an energy source. In this paper, an integrated energy system including hydrogen as an energy vector and hydrogen storage is studied. The system is used to assess the behaviour of a hydrogen production and storage system under different renewable energy generation profiles. Two case studies are considered: a high renewable energy generation scenario and a low renewable energy generation scenario. These provide an understanding of how different levels of renewable penetration may affect the operation of an electrolyser and a fuel cell against an electricity import/export pricing regime. The mathematical model of the system under study is represented using the energy hub approach, with system optimisation through linear programming conducted via MATLAB to minimise the total operational cost. The work undertaken showcases the unique interactions the fuel cell has with the hydrogen storage system in terms of minimising grid electricity import and exporting stored hydrogen as electricity back to the grid when export prices are competitive.
Keywords: hydrogen storage; integrated energy systems; energy hubs; optimal dispatch; optimisation
Insights for EnergyREV:
In this paper, a local energy system including hydrogen as an energy vector is studied. A real case study in Levenmouth, Scotland with local renewable generation, hydrogen production, storage and transport and fuel cell electricity generation is studied. A mathematical model of the system is represented using the energy hub approach, with system optimisation through linear programming to minimise the operational cost. The work demonstrates interactions between the local hydrogen and electricity systems and opportunities to reduce public grid reliance by storing electricity in the form of hydrogen.