Work

Role of Technology Flexibility and Grid Coupling on Hydrogen Deployment in Net-Zero Energy Systems

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Low-carbon hydrogen is anticipated to be a key element of economy-wide decarbonization pathways. Here we employ a multisector energy system model of the contiguous United States to study competition among low-carbon hydrogen production options and the interplay between the electricity and hydrogen sectors in a net-zero energy system. When hydrogen storage is available without constraints and electrolyzers are grid-connected, they account for most hydrogen production, while providing demand-side flexibility to the electricity system. This decreases battery storage deployment to achieve similar shares of variable renewable energy (VRE) in the power system. When electrolyzers are not grid-connected but rely on islanded VRE power to produce “green” H 2, we find that power system flexibility and the share of electrolytic hydrogen are reduced, all else equal. Without hydrogen storage, natural gas-based hydrogen (i.e., “blue” H 2 ) accounts for most hydrogen production, although increasing flexibility of blue H 2 can enable some electrolytic H 2 production. Finally, we find that hydrogen deployment does not substantially drive energy transmission expansion, although there is a modest increase in CO 2 transmission when blue H 2 is deployed in regions with limited CO 2 storage.

Source: Environmental Science & Technology

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c12166

Authors: Jun Wen Law, Bryan K. Mignone, Dharik S. Mallapragada

Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ExxonMobil (United States), New York University

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500