Efficient Electrolysis Coupling with Variable Renewable Electricity and Heat Integration

Objectives

• When operated flexibly, electrolysers can support grid stability. Increasing levels of renewable electricity penetration to the target defined in the REPowerEU plan brings a range of challenges, some of which could be addressed by hydrogen produced via electrolysis:
  • To reduce the need for grid improvements and grid management operations (variable renewable energy curtailment) through dynamic electrolyser operation and cross-sectoral flexibility (connecting power, gas and heat networks), especially in regions with strong current (or planned) variable renewable energy surplus;
  • To boost off-grid renewable electricity generation in offshore installations and areas adjacent to underground storage, islands, and remote areas;
  • To provide a range of energy storage (including seasonal) and grid services to help match supply and demand, while reducing curtailment, dependencies on fossil fuels and electricity prices;
  • To increase the penetration of renewable energy into the energy system (in on- and/or off-grid systems);
  • To reduce the need for curtailment of renewable electricity generation at times of excess production.

Funding Information

• The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million – proposals requesting Clean Hydrogen JU contributions above this amount will not be evaluated.

Expected Outcomes

• Project results should contribute to all the following expected outcomes:
  • For all projects:
    • Enhanced electrolysis capacity to produce renewable hydrogen (in line with EU regulations);
    • Reduction of the levelised cost of hydrogen, including business models for generating additional income;
    • Improved overall integration of electrolysis with the energy system.
  • For projects on coupling with variable renewable electricity:
    • Fostering the use of electrolysis plants to balance the electrical network;
    • Coupling of multi-MW electrolysis plants to variable renewable energy generation (both on- and off-grid, directly or indirectly coupled);
    • Improved and diversified business models for electrolysis plants thanks to the provision of remunerated electrical grid services (at transmission and distribution system level).
  • For projects addressing heat integration:
    • Fostering synergies between electrolysis plants and external heat stakeholders (producers and consumers);
    • Improving thermal management within electrolysis plants;
    • Improved and diversified business models for electrolysis plants through integrated thermal management and/or integration into heating supply networks.

Eligible Activities

• The following activities are within the scope of this topic:
  • Improve storage (hydrogen, demineralised water, heat, power) and plant control strategies to increase overall plant response reactivity while smoothening ramp-up and -down. This may be supported by a connection to a gas network (incl. salt cavern), or other energy storage (gaseous or electrochemical);
  • Demonstrate innovative power electronics (e.g. transformer and rectifier, direct DC/DC coupling) and control strategies to maximise flexibility of operation;
  • Develop ad-hoc Balance of Plant components for heat integration;
  • Optimise heat re-use within the electrolysis plant and/or the integration of the plant with its environment (e.g. heat networks, industry);
  • Minimise power consumption in stand-by operation and ensure safe operation at high turn-down operation of the electrolyser;
  • Provide improved plant designs of >50MW sites with design-inherent increased operating flexibility, providing higher levels of services to the electrical grid (e.g. capacity to absorb black outs from other sites) while better valorising heat, with concrete business cases on at least one plant with a commissioning date before 2030.

Eligible Projects

• Projects should demonstrate developments for at least 6 months on plants in operation at least at the MW scale. Applicants may work on existing electrolyser installations where only the BoP would need to be adapted/modified or on electrolyser installations under development.
• Proposals are expected to demonstrate the contribution to EU competitiveness and industrial leadership of the activities to be funded including but not limited to the origin of the equipment and components as well infrastructure purchased and built during the project. These aspects will be evaluated and monitored during the project implementation.
• Proposals should provide a preliminary draft on ‘hydrogen safety planning and management’ at the project level, which will be further updated during project implementation.

For more information, visit European Commission.