Design and evaluation of hydrogen electricity reconversion pathways in national energy systems using spatially and temporally resolved energy system optimization. (12th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Welder, Lara; Stenzel, Peter; Ebersbach, Natalie; Markewitz, Peter; Robinius, Martin; Emonts, Bernd; Stolten, Detlef
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 19(2019)
• Page Start: 9594
• Page End: 9607
• Publication Date: 2019-04-12
• Subjects: Hydrogen reconversion -- Hydrogen re-electrification -- Hydrogen-to-power -- Optimization -- Energy system; CHP Combined heat and power unit -- RE Renewable energy -- GT H2 gas turbine -- CCGT Combined cycle gas turbine -- HVDC High-voltage direct-current transmission -- AFC Alkaline fuel cell -- SOEL Solid oxide electrolyzer -- NRW North Rhine-Westphalia -- PEMEL Polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer -- PEMFC Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell -- PV Photovoltaics -- SOFC Solid oxide fuel cell -- AEL Alkaline electrolyzer -- LCOE Levelized cost of electricity/energy; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: For this study, a spatially and temporally resolved optimization model was used to investigate and economically evaluate pathways for using surplus electricity to cover positive residual loads by means of different technologies to reconvert hydrogen into electricity. The associated technology pathways consist of electrolyzers, salt caverns, hydrogen pipelines, power cables, and various technologies for reconversion into electricity. The investigations were conducted based on an energy scenario for 2050 in which surplus electricity from northern Germany is available to cover the electricity grid load in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). A key finding of the pathway analysis is that NRW's electricity demand can be covered entirely by renewable energy sources in this scenario, which involves CO2 savings of 44.4 million tons of CO2 /a in comparison to the positive residual load being covered from a conventional power plant fleet. The pathway involving CCGT (combined cycle gas turbines) as hydrogen reconversion option was identified as being the most cost effective (total investment: € 43.1 billion, electricity generation costs of reconversion: € 176/MWh). Large-scale hydrogen storage and reconversion as well as the use of the hydrogen infrastructure built for this purpose can make a meaningful contribution to the expansion of the electricity grid. However, for reasons of efficiency, substituting the electricity grid expansion entirely with hydrogen reconversion systems does not make sense from an economic standpoint. Furthermore, the hydrogen reconversion pathways evaluated, including large-scale storage, significantly contribute to the security of the energy supply and to secured power generation capacities. Highlights: Hydrogen-to-electricity reconversion potential is investigated for Germany 2050. Five electricity supply pathways are optimized considering storage and transmission. Hydrogen infrastructure complements the electricity grid infrastructure. Hydrogen reconversion in combined cycle power plants is most cost effective. The pathways can significantly contribute to a secure renewable energy supply.