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Title: Novel Electrolyzer Applications: Providing More Than Just Hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen can be used for many different applications and can be integrated into many different system architectures. One of the methods for producing the hydrogen is to use an electrolyzer. This work explores the flexibility of electrolyzers to behave as responsive loads. Experimental tests were performed for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) and an alkaline electrolyzer to assess the operational flexibility of electrolyzers to behave as responsive loads. The results are compared to the operational requirements to participate in end-user facility energy management, transmission and distribution system support, and wholesale electricity market services. Electrolyzers begin changing their electricity demand within milliseconds of a set-point change. The settling time after a set-point change is on the order of seconds. It took 6.5 minutes for the PEM unit to execute a cold start and 1 minute to turn off. In addition, a frequency disturbance correction test was performed and electrolyzers were able to accelerate the speed that the grid frequency can be restored. Electrolyzers acting as demand response devices can respond sufficiently fast and for a long enough duration to participate in all of the applications explored. Furthermore, electrolyzers can be operated to support a variety of applications while also providing hydrogenmore » for industrial processes, transportation fuel, or heating fuel. Additionally, favorable operating properties and a variety of potential system architectures showcase the flexibility of electrolyzer systems.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1159377
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP-5400-61758
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
08 HYDROGEN; 33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; ELECTROLYZER; FLEXIBILITY; GRID INTEGRATION; ELECTRICITY MARKETS; RAMP-RATE; RESPONSE TIME; TURNDOWN; STARTUP; SHUTDOWN; DEMAND RESPONSE; Transportation

Citation Formats

Eichman, J., Harrison, K., and Peters, M. Novel Electrolyzer Applications: Providing More Than Just Hydrogen. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.2172/1159377.
Eichman, J., Harrison, K., & Peters, M. Novel Electrolyzer Applications: Providing More Than Just Hydrogen. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1159377
Eichman, J., Harrison, K., and Peters, M. 2014. "Novel Electrolyzer Applications: Providing More Than Just Hydrogen". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1159377. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1159377.
@article{osti_1159377,
title = {Novel Electrolyzer Applications: Providing More Than Just Hydrogen},
author = {Eichman, J. and Harrison, K. and Peters, M.},
abstractNote = {Hydrogen can be used for many different applications and can be integrated into many different system architectures. One of the methods for producing the hydrogen is to use an electrolyzer. This work explores the flexibility of electrolyzers to behave as responsive loads. Experimental tests were performed for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) and an alkaline electrolyzer to assess the operational flexibility of electrolyzers to behave as responsive loads. The results are compared to the operational requirements to participate in end-user facility energy management, transmission and distribution system support, and wholesale electricity market services. Electrolyzers begin changing their electricity demand within milliseconds of a set-point change. The settling time after a set-point change is on the order of seconds. It took 6.5 minutes for the PEM unit to execute a cold start and 1 minute to turn off. In addition, a frequency disturbance correction test was performed and electrolyzers were able to accelerate the speed that the grid frequency can be restored. Electrolyzers acting as demand response devices can respond sufficiently fast and for a long enough duration to participate in all of the applications explored. Furthermore, electrolyzers can be operated to support a variety of applications while also providing hydrogen for industrial processes, transportation fuel, or heating fuel. Additionally, favorable operating properties and a variety of potential system architectures showcase the flexibility of electrolyzer systems.},
doi = {10.2172/1159377},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1159377}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}