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Using hydrogen and ammonia for renewable energy storage: A geographically comprehensive techno-economic study

Journal Article · · Computers and Chemical Engineering
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science; University of Minnesota
  2. Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Hydrogen and, more recently, ammonia have received worldwide attention as energy storage media. In this work we investigate the economics of using each of these chemicals as well as the two in combination for islanded renewable energy supply systems in 15 American cities representing different climate regions throughout the country. We use an optimal combined capacity planning and scheduling model which minimizes the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by determining optimal unit selection and size along with unit commitments, production rates, and storage inventories for each period of system operation. These periods are aggregated from full year hourly resolution data via a consecutive temporal clustering algorithm. Ammonia is generally more economical than hydrogen as a single method of energy storage. Additionally, systems which use both hydrogen and ammonia outperform those which use only one storage option and have LCOE between $$\$$ 0.17$/kWh and $$\$$ 0.28$/kWh, including full investment in renewable generation infrastructure.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
Grant/Contract Number:
AR0000804
OSTI ID:
1616471
Journal Information:
Computers and Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Computers and Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: C Vol. 136; ISSN 0098-1354
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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