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Battolyser ® is an example of a fully flexible electrolyser .
To flex or not to flex ? On electrolyser operation
With volatile renewable energy input on one end and stable hydrogen consumption on the other , electrolyser projects are stuck between a rock and a hard place . We explore the benefits and challenges of flexible electrolyser operation for a Dutch use case and propose to reconcile conflicting decarbonisation objectives : producing substantial volumes of affordable green hydrogen and integrating electrolysis into the renewables-based energy system of the future .
By Olga Półchłopek , Data Lead , Battolyser Systems
Two objectives of hydrogen rollout
On the one hand , deploying renewable energy sources is essential to achieve net-zero targets . Grid stability must be maintained throughout their rollout , requiring demand to adapt to natural intermittency and availability of renewable energy . Without sufficient flexible assets , the efficient addition of renewables becomes constrained : peak generation cannot be safely transmitted by the grid without matching demand , which leads to curtailment , negative prices , and an unattractive business case for renewables .
On the other hand , there is strong motivation to maximise hydrogen production . Firstly , high capital expenditures ( CapEx ) require high
10 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 18 | October 2024