case study: hydrogen production power optimization

CASE STUDY: HYDROGEN PRODUCTION POWER OPTIMIZATION

Megan ReusserSenior Development Engineer Global Syngas

Technologies ConferenceOctober 12, 2021

Need for Hydrogen Production & Storage

100% Decarbonization

Goals

Energy Storage

Uses in Other Industries

Power Generation

Transportation

Power Generation

Turbines► Major OEMs committing to

capabilities to burn 100% in future advanced class machines

► Existing turbines currently limited to a mixing ratio• Approximately 30% (by volume)

► NOX and performance impacts

EXAMPLE – Power Required for 30% H2 Blend

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

50MW SCGT 250MW SCGT 700MW CCGT

Load

, MW

Rated Capacity, MW Elecrolysis Load, MW Net Output, MW

*Based on Realtime hydrogen production via electrolysis

Negative Net Output

Positive Net Output

Hydrogen Production Round Trip Efficiency

100% 25-40%

Electrical Grid (or other users)

Renewables

Grid

Electrolysis Storage TurbineCompressionor

Hydrogen Storage Options

Compressed Gas Storage

Liquid Hydrogen Storage

Mor

e Po

wer

Req

uire

dLess Pow

er Required

CASE STUDY – Hydrogen Fuel Blending

► Process facility owner wants to blend hydrogen into fuel gas system• Goal of CO2 reduction• Turbine Driven Compressor (25 MW)• 5% (by volume) – Approximately 75 lb/hr of

hydrogen

► Produce hydrogen on-site via electrolysis• 2.5 MW Electrolyzer• Produces approximately 100 lb/hr of

hydrogen

► Time of Use• Peak ($0.265/kWh) – Daily from 4PM to 8PM • Off-Peak ($0.044/kWh) – All other hoursHydrogen (5%)

Natural Gas (95%)

Option 1 – Electrolyzer Always On

Drives Process

CompressorGrid Electrolysis Storage TurbineCompression

Option 1 – Electrolyzer Always On

Drives Process

CompressorGrid Electrolysis Storage TurbineCompression

75 lb/hr

Option 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak Hours

Drives Process

CompressorGrid Electrolysis Storage TurbineCompression

90 lb/hr 90 lb/hr 75 lb/hr90 lb/hr

Peak – 4 Hours

Option 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak Hours

Drives Process

CompressorGrid Electrolysis Storage TurbineCompression

75 lb/hr90 lb/hr

Off-Peak – 20 Hours

15 lb/hr 15 lb/hr

Results

Description Duration(Hours)

Electrolyzer Power(kW)

Compressor Power (kW)

Total Power (kW)

Total Power per Day (kWh)

Price($/kWh)

Cost per Year

($/year)

OPTION 1 – Electrolyzer Always OnPeak Time 4 1,700 0 1,700 6,800 $0.267 $662,694

Off-Peak 20 1,700 0 1,700 34,000 $0.044 $546,040

Total 24 3,400 0 3,400 40,8000 $1,208,734

OPTION 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak HoursPeak Time 4 0 0 0 0 $0.267 $0

Off-Peak 20 2,100 50 2,150 43,000 $0.044 $690,580

Total 24 2,100 50 2,150 43,000 $690,580

Results

Description Duration(Hours)

Electrolyzer Power(kW)

Compressor Power (kW)

Total Power (kW)

Total Power per Day (kWh)

Price($/kWh)

Cost per Year

($/year)

OPTION 1 – Electrolyzer Always OnPeak Time 4 1,700 0 1,700 6,800 $0.267 $662,694

Off-Peak 20 1,700 0 1,700 34,000 $0.044 $546,040

Total 24 3,400 0 3,400 40,8000 $1,208,734

OPTION 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak HoursPeak Time 4 0 0 0 0 $0.267 $0

Off-Peak 20 2,100 50 2,150 43,000 $0.044 $690,580

Total 24 2,100 50 2,150 43,000 $690,580

~43% cost savings

~5% power increase

What if Peak-time pricing wasn’t a factor?

Description Duration(Hours)

Price($/kWh)

Cost per Year

($/year)

OPTION 1 – Electrolyzer Always OnPeak Time 4 $0.267 $662,694

Off-Peak 20 $0.044 $546,040

Total 24 $1,208,734

OPTION 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak HoursPeak Time 4 $0.267 $0

Off-Peak 20 $0.044 $690,580

Total 24 $690,580

Description Duration(Hours)

Price($/kWh)

Cost per Year

($/year)

OPTION 1 – Electrolyzer Always OnPeak Time 4 $0.044 $109,208

Off-Peak 20 $0.044 $546,040

Total 24 $655,248

OPTION 2 – Cycle On/Off during Peak HoursPeak Time 4 $0.044 $0

Off-Peak 20 $0.044 $690,580

Total 24 $690,580

$0.044/kWh

Other Power ConsiderationsPurchased vs. Excess Renewable

Storage Pressure

and Volume

Financial Impacts

Electrolyzer Size

Competing Technologies

Use Case

H2 Production and Storage is Energy

Intensive

Multiple Variables

Complex Analysis

Evaluate the Whole

System

No “One-Size Fits All” Solution

SUMMARY

THANK YOU

Megan Reusser816-782-6270

mereusser@burnsmcd.com