[ project development ]
Grid congestion Storing energy in hydrogen is particularly interesting from a development perspective if the electricity production cannot be connected to the grid . The electricity grid is overloaded in many places . There is insufficient grid capacity available in various places in the Netherlands , which means that new solar energy projects are not always connected immediately . Existing solar energy projects can also suffer from this . The transmission system operator ( TSO ) as well as the local distribution system operators ( DSOs ) are working hard to improve and upgrade the electricity grid . Yet many initiators of solar energy projects will not receive a ( full ) grid connection in the coming years . They have to wait even longer for that . In such cases , the production of hydrogen can be interesting to facilitate the construction of the solar park . In this way , the business case of solar and hydrogen is combined .
In addition , an electrolyser can also be used to stabilize the grid . A so-called balancing service provider ( BSP ) offers the grid operator balancing energy and / or balancing power . The grid operator purchases balancing power and activates balancing energy from BSPs to eliminate unforeseen imbalances in the electricity grid . This allows additional income to be generated by turning the electrolyser on or off at desired times . The electrolyser as such becomes a flexible load within the grid .
Heat demand The efficiency of hydrogen production is a disadvantage , as is the production of electricity with coal or gas-fired power stations . However , the residual heat that is released can be put to good use in local heat networks . This is applied in some projects , provided that there are sufficient heat consumers in the area . With this , the business case can be significantly improved , as well as the sustainability of the project because the excess heat is used efficiently . The disadvantage of many hydrogen production projects is that electrolysers are usually not built next to densely populated areas . As a result , some port areas lack the necessary customers , which means that the heat cannot be used effectively .
Oxygen In every project designed so far , the business case for using oxygen was hard to make . The market value of oxygen currently barely outweighs the costs that must be incurred to store oxygen that is released .
Permitting – the legal framework
With the ambition of the Dutch government for large amounts of green hydrogen production , a lot of permit applications would be expected . However , since the end of 2021 only the VoltH2 projects have received an environmental and building permit . For the competent authority that needs to assess the permit application this is therefore also relatively new . A ‘ hydrogen plant ’ or an ‘ electrolyser ’ is not yet imbedded in the current environmental legislation . There is also a small chance that you will encounter these activities in a zoning plan .
Legal framework In the Netherlands , an establishment for the production of hydrogen is subject to a license . There is a ( form-free ) environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) obligation ( provided the installation remains below the threshold value ). A notification memorandum must be drawn up , on the basis of which the competent authority can determine whether there are ( potential ) significant adverse environmental consequences . Electrolysers do not fall under the BEVI or BRZO decree . The Provincial Executive is the competent authority . On the basis of Annex I , article 4.2 of the European Industrial Emissions Directive , a hydrogen plant is an IPPC ( Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control ) installation .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 7 | December 2022 21