[ efficiency ]
load smoothing . For projects that are directly connected to renewable energy resources , oversizing of renewable energy assets or combining solar and wind resources are relevant options .
For projects that receive renewable electricity through a grid-sleeved power purchase agreement ( PPA ) rather than a directly connected renewable energy asset , time-matching rules may provide some scope for load smoothing . Under the current EU rules , projects completed before 2030 that receive electricity through a grid-sleeved PPA will only need to demonstrate equivalence in operational hours over a onemonth period .
Another approach available to developers is to integrate a battery energy storage system into a project . Given the high cost of additional battery storage capacity , doing so effectively requires a nuanced understanding of the value that the storage system brings to a particular plant under specific operational conditions .
A final option is coupling multiple electrolyser technologies – for instance , using alkaline to serve a certain less variable portion of the load and PEM to handle more rapid load variations . However , coupling technologies introduces additional complexity to project delivery and may also annul some of the efficiency benefits of using a single technology with a unified BoP architecture .
On the BoP side , trade-offs between the performance of the stack and the surrounding sub-systems are key considerations , both from an efficiency perspective and from a plant cost perspective . Finding an EPC partner with an intimate understanding of the chosen technology , close manufacturer ties , and experience in delivering projects with similar requirements should therefore be a priority for project developers .
Likewise , efficiencies and plant costs should both factor into a developer ’ s decision on whether to source pre-fabricated electrolyser modules ( which include the stack in addition to some integrated BoP ) or stacks supplied as individual components . The former approach allows for high stack and BoP performance optimisation at the scale of a single module but arguably provides less scope for optimisation at increasing system scales .
In summary , achieving competitive green hydrogen costs requires a holistic understanding of electrolyser efficiencies . which encompasses the stack , the operational profile of the electrolyser , and the contribution of the surrounding BoP . This perspective also needs to account for potential compromises between efficiency and other key parameters , especially plant costs .
New technologies may in future offer a pathway to radically improved system performance . In the meantime , detailed project planning and close collaboration between project partners will be the main factors that determine whether developers can successfully bring down the cost of green hydrogen production .
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18 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 16 | June 2024