Mitigation of reverse power flows in a distribution network by power-to-hydrogen plant

Abstract

The increase in power generation facilities from nonprogrammable renewable sources is posing several challenges for the management of electrical systems, due to phenomena such as congestion and reverse power flows. In mitigating these phenomena, Power-to-Gas plants can make an important contribution. In this paper, a linear optimisation study is presented for the sizing of a Power-to-Hydrogen plant consisting of a PEM electrolyser, a hydrogen storage system composed of multiple compressed hydrogen tanks, and a fuel cell for the eventual reconversion of hydrogen to electricity. The plant was sized with the objective of minimising reverse power flows in a medium-voltage distribution network characterised by a high presence of photovoltaic systems, considering economic aspects such as investment costs and the revenue obtainable from the sale of hydrogen and excess energy generated by the photovoltaic systems. The study also assessed the impact that the electrolysis plant has on the power grid in terms of power losses. The results obtained showed that by installing a 737 kW electrolyser, the annual reverse power flows are reduced by 81.61%, while also reducing losses in the transformer and feeders supplying the ring network in question by 17.32% and 29.25%, respectively, on the day with the highest reverse power flows.