An Electrolyzer Model for Power System Operation Optimization Over Broad Temperature Range

• Published in: IEEE transactions on sustainable energy 2024-07, Vol.15 (3), p.2126-2129
• Main Authors: Ding, Haohui, Hu, Qinran, Li, Jiarong, Lin, Jin, Hong, Lucheng, Wu, Zaijun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Broad temperature range; Cogeneration; Electrolytes; electrolyzer model; Error reduction; Flexibility; Heating systems; Hydrogen; low temperature; Optimization; Power systems; power to hydrogen; Temperature distribution
• ISSN: 1949-3029; 1949-3037
• DOI: 10.1109/TSTE.2024.3375074

Electrolyzers are recognized as promising equipment to improve power systems' operation flexibility. However, existing electrolyzer models used in power system operation optimization are either nonconvex or inaccurate when operating over a broad temperature range. Hence, this letter proposes an enhanced feasible operational area of electrolyzer (EFOAE) model. The EFOAE model is the first model that is convex and accurate over a broad temperature range (0 ^{\circ }C-80 ^{\circ }C). Therefore, the EFOAE model is favorable for operation optimization of the power systems with high penetration of renewables. Besides, to reduce errors, this letter improves the current electrolyzer feasible operational area derivation method, and removes the infeasible part in EFOAE. Compared with existing narrow temperature range (60 ^{\circ }C-80 ^{\circ }C) electrolyzer models, using EFOAE may release greater flexibility for power systems' operation, thereby reducing costs by 4.6% and wind curtailment by 63% in case studies.