Renewable Energy Hydrogen Systems based on PV, Wind, and Water Electrolysis

The main objective of the REHSYS-project is to study and optimize the design and operation of industrial scale water electrolysis systems based on wind, photovoltaic solar (PV), and proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, with the aim to support technology developments required to reach the cost target of 1-2 USD per kg for renewable energy (RE) based hydrogen (H2). To achieve this the project seeks to maximize the efficiency, lifespan, and economy of RE/H2 systems by exploring system designs and operational schemes for specific locations having different weather conditions, scales, grid constraints, and prospective hydrogen off-takers. The research tasks in the project are organized in the following three work packages: (1) Assessment of the variability in PV resources at different locations and development of a novel nowcasting methodology, (2) Experimental testing and modelling of a PEM water electrolysis system operated with solar PV and/or wind power, and (3) Techno-economic optimization (sizing and control strategy) incorporating PV and wind nowcasting for specific use cases. Locations with existing RE and/or H2 infrastructure will be carefully selected together with the Industry Partners in the project to ensure access to data suitable for modelling and analysis. The REHSYS-project is led by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller in Norway, which contributes with researchers from three different departments: Solar Power, Hydrogen Technology, and Energy Systems Analysis. A PhD on PEM water electrolysis systems is planned at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS) at University of Oslo (UiO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the USA will serve as the main International Research Partner. The project is also supported by the Industry Partners Statkraft, Equinor, Hydro Havrand og Nel. In 2024 there were completed two master theses on modeling of PEM water electrolysis systems at IFE and UiO and in September the PhD candidate in the project was employed at UiO. At IFE the Solar Power department has further developed a new method for prediction of solar PV power production and commercial equipment that will be used to validate and benchmark the method in 2025 has been ordered. The Hydrogen Technology department has completed an experimental setup for testing of single PEM-cells and the first test will be performed during the fall of 2024; the first PEM-stack test campaigns will start up in January 2025. The Research and Industry Partners have in 2024 participated in several project relevant meetings, workshops, seminars, and conferences, both in Norway and internationally (e.g., Germany, Austria, Switzerland, USA, and Australia).

The main objective of the REHSYS-project is to study and optimize the design and operation of industrial scale water electrolysis systems based on wind, photovoltaic solar (PV), and proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, with the aim to support technology developments required to reach the cost target of 1-2 USD per kg of hydrogen for renewable energy (RE) based hydrogen (H2) production. To achieve this the project seeks to maximize the efficiency, lifespan, and economy of RE/H2 systems by exploring system designs and operational schemes for specific locations having different weather conditions, scales, grid constraints, and prospective hydrogen off-takers. The three key research challenges and topics addressed in the project are as follows: (1) Forecasting of PV resources in real time, (2) Efficient design, and control of dynamically operated PEMWE systems, and (3) Optimization of RE/H2-systems for given locations. From this follows three work packages: (1) Assessment of the variability in PV resources at different locations and development of novel nowcasting methodology, (2) Experimental testing and modelling of a PEMWE system operated with solar PV power, and (3) Techno-economic optimization (sizing and control strategy) incorporating PV nowcasting for specific use cases. Locations with existing RE and/or H2 infrastructure will be carefully selected together with the Industry Partners to ensure access to data suitable for modelling and analysis. Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) is the Project Leader and main Research Partner in project, with participation from researchers at three different departments (Solar, Hydrogen, and Energy Systems). The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) at the University of Oslo (UiO) is the Academic Partner and will host a PhD on RE/H2-systems. Four Industry Partners participate and support the project, while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, USA) will be involved as an International Research Partner.