Active operation of hydrogen fuelling stations to support renewable integration

Abstract

To reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, the deployment of hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) is an alternative to battery Electric Vehicles. Green hydrogen fuel can be generated by converting low carbon electricity at refuelling stations equipped with water electrolysis, especially in renewable rich areas. The fast response capability of electrolysis, coupled with onsite hydrogen tanks, could potentially turn the station demand into a flexible load since the hydrogen can be stored and used when needed. This paper describes a scheme for actively operating hydrogen fuelling stations in renewable rich areas, providing flexible response to manage constraints and release network headroom for connecting renewable generation. Under this operational approach, electrolysers at the hydrogen fuelling station adaptively increase electricity consumption (i.e. overproduction) to overcome thermal overloading issues near the point of connection, and then subsequently reduce electricity consumption (i.e. underproduction) to release the unscheduled hydrogen stored in onsite tanks. The results of a case study in a 11 kV distribution network are presented. Based on the results, the effectiveness of actively station operation is demonstrated with considerable reductions in curtailment.