Enhancing Grid Flexibility and Efficiency with PEM Electrolyzers: A Dispatch Strategy Study
Key Ideas
  • PEM electrolyzers offer a solution to grid instability by using excess renewable energy for hydrogen production.
  • A dispatch strategy optimized for PEM electrolyzers reduces operating costs, improves wind energy utilization, and enhances hydrogen production efficiency.
  • The strategy demonstrates economic advantages, even under specific coal and hydrogen price scenarios, benefiting regions with high renewable energy penetration.
  • Accurate modeling of electrolyzer performance in grid operations can increase flexibility, reduce costs, and boost renewable energy utilization.
The study focuses on the integration of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers into electric grids to enhance flexibility and efficiency. By utilizing excess renewable energy for hydrogen production, PEM electrolyzers offer a solution to grid instability and energy curtailment. Researchers developed a dispatch strategy considering the electrolyzer's performance factors like part-load efficiency and auxiliary power consumption. Results show that the optimized strategy reduces total operating costs by up to 2.6% compared to scenarios without the electrolyzer. It also improves wind energy utilization and hydrogen production efficiency. Sensitivity analysis indicates economic benefits even with varying coal and hydrogen prices. This study provides a robust framework for maximizing grid performance with PEM electrolyzers, offering insights for regions with high renewable energy penetration. By accurately modeling electrolyzer performance and integrating it into dispatch strategies, grid flexibility can be enhanced, costs reduced, and renewable energy utilization increased.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.