Innovation is a critical component for the successful integration of hydrogen into energy systems and grids. It is indeed pivotal to develop the ecosystem that supports the new technologies and consider related infrastructures holistically.
Green H2 production is expected to have impact on Electricity Grids.
WG1 of ETIP SNET published a recent paper (Impact oh hydrogen integration on power grids and energy system) that sheds light on the role of innovation and policy considerations in this context. The paper was also presented during the EU Hydrogen Week in the B2B forum discussion, in the panel entitled "Sector coupling and hydrogen storage: the role of hydrogen in future energy systems".
Key Take-Outs of the paper are:
1️⃣ Infrastructure importance
The use of hydrogen depends substantially on transport options and infrastructure conditions. The impact on electricity grids is a significant consideration.
The expected impacts on grids are major and include:
- Holistic and end user centric planning
- Infrastructure investments and optimisation of the value chains
- Holistic System Perspective needs to include Hydrogen Valleys.
2️⃣ Rapidly evolving technological advancements
Upscaling Hydrogen Technologies will happen rapidly and the impact will increase
3️⃣ Regulatory frameworks
Various considerations like grid operations, flexibility services, and market and regulation changes needed for hydrogen's role in energy systems
4️⃣ Business Viability
Different business cases are discussed based on the destination of hydrogen
5️⃣ Role of R&I and wholistic approach to infrastructures
There are also many incentives for R&D, budgets and cross disciplinary efforts must be maintained at both national and European innovation programs levels.
The following conclusions can be drawn from the paper:
- The existing or new infrastructure for hydrogen transport will significantly impact its utility and the electricity grids.
- Hydrogen sector requires not only electrolysers but also heavy infrastructural investments like transport (pipelines, grids, ships, etc.), storage, and import facilities.
- The deployment pace of electrolysers should match the increase of the large amount of additional Renewable Energy Sources (RES) volumes required for producing green hydrogen.
- Hydrogen Valleys are promising context for infrastructures development.
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