Demand flexibility in hydrogen production by incorporating electrical and physical parameters

Abstract

The increasing integration of intermittent and uncertain renewable energy resources into the electric grid presents significant challenges for maintaining grid reliability, highlighting the need for flexible resources to balance demand and supply. This paper presents a novel hydrogen electrolyzer-based framework for inducing demand flexibility considering both electrical and physical parameter variations. Hydrogen generation is modeled using Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Alkaline (AEL) electrolysis processes on a real-time digital simulator (RTDS), establishing correlations between power variations and electrical and physical parameters. Building on this, a stochastic optimization framework is developed, incorporating hydrogen systems, photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to assess the techno-economic performance within the grid. The proposed framework is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem that accounts for AC network constraints. The individual performances of PEM and AEL electrolyzers are evaluated based on their distinct characteristics. Results demonstrate that varying both electrical and physical parameters enable hydrogen electrolyzers to effectively induce demand flexibility. Furthermore, simulations with and without PV and BESS in the IEEE-9 bus network demonstrate that hydrogen electrolyzers can significantly enhance grid flexibility while reducing system costs, reinforcing their role in supporting overall grid stability and efficiency.