Development pathway and influencing factors of hydrogen energy storage accommodating renewable energy growth

Abstract

Hydrogen energy is considered an important energy storage mode with medium- and long-term cross-seasonal storage capabilities in scenarios with high penetration of renewable energy (RE). However, there is a lack of research regarding the appropriate scale of hydrogen energy storage (HES) considering different RE power generation scenarios. In response to this gap, the present study aims to establish a power system simulation model to analyze the development pathway of HES while accommodating RE growth with a minimum cost constraint for a power system operation. The impacts of carbon trading prices, advances in HES technology, and RE resource endowment on HES development are also investigated. The findings indicate that the total available solar energy resources in China are 46.94TW, and the total available wind energy resources are 9.52TW. When the share of RE generation reaches 44.33–54.78 % of total power generation, the utilization of HES for balancing power system is advantageous in reducing the overall system costs. Looking ahead to 2060, the year when China is projected to achieve its carbon-neutrality goal, RE is estimated to reach 63.12–91.1 % of total power generation. Consequently, the HES in each province is estimated to contribute to 3.58–18.02 % of total electricity consumption. Provinces with more abundant wind resources relative to solar resources are expected to have a 36.43 % higher demand for HES.