Curtailment to cashflow: Exploring BESS and hydrogen for renewable energy profitability

Abstract

The sporadic nature of renewable energy sources has led to increased energy curtailment. Hence, the necessity to efficiently utilize curtailed renewable energy using Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and hydrogen technology is paramount. This study explores curtailed renewable energy (wind and solar) utilization through three cases: Case 1 - BESS, Case 2 - alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) for hydrogen energy, and Case 3 - a hybrid system (BESS and AWE). Hourly data for California in 2020 is used. Dynamic optimization tackles the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem, aiming to maximize profits across scenarios. Factors include power source (wind, solar, or hybrid), energy storage (BESS, hydrogen, or hybrid), and curtailed power availability (25 % to 100 %). Results show that 100 % solar curtailment availability in Case 2 yields highest profits and rapid payback in California. Cases 1 and 3 underperform due to high BESS capital, replacement, and degradation costs. The study, catering to operators and investors, explores curtailed energy dimensions for profit. Comprehensive cost considerations, encompassing BESS degradation, operational, and variable costs, ensure precise estimates. Sensitivity analysis underscores the crucial role of technology costs, suggesting avenues for expense reduction. The study provides guidance for effective curtailed energy repurposing, considering evolving technology costs.