Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have joined forces with Idaho Power to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility and advantages of producing hydrogen at existing hydropower plants.
This collaboration aims to integrate hydrogen production with hydropower, enhancing grid stability, reoxygenating water for environmental improvements downstream, and supporting the transition to decarbonized energy production in Idaho. The insights gained from data analysis, modeling, and analyses through this partnership will play a crucial role in determining the potential for hydropower and hydrogen integration, not only in Idaho but also in facilities across the US.
Brett Dumas, the director of environmental affairs at Idaho Power, stated: "INL and PNNL will evaluate the coupling of electrolytic hydrogen production technologies with hydropower plants to identify scenarios that could help Idaho Power achieve its goal of providing 100% clean energy by 2045." This collaborative approach seeks to maximize the utilization of the clean energy generated by Idaho Power's 17 hydroelectric power plants.
One of the major challenges faced by most renewable energy technologies is the variability in power output. Hydropower, in comparison, offers more consistent generation. By integrating hydrogen production, the flexibility of hydropower can be further enhanced, assisting in balancing the intermittency of wind and solar energy sources. This capability becomes especially crucial during peak electricity demand hours.
Moreover, excess electricity generated by hydropower can be used to produce hydrogen, which can later be converted back into electricity when needed. This option proves invaluable during peak hours when electricity from hydropower may be limited, thereby helping meet energy demands and reducing reliance on non-renewable power sources.
Daniel Wendt, the principal investigator and researcher on the project at INL, explained, "By capturing the off-peak energy production as hydrogen, the hydrogen can be re-electrified during peak energy demand." Storing hydrogen as a fuel offers a cleaner alternative to fossil-fuel backup power generation and contributes to grid stability, granting electrical system operators greater flexibility to ensure reliable and cost-effective service.
Furthermore, the hydrogen production process yields excess oxygen as a byproduct, presenting an opportunity to address water quality concerns in rivers. Reservoirs behind dams often suffer from low dissolved oxygen levels, particularly during the summer and early fall, which is essential for aquatic species. INL and PNNL researchers will explore the potential of using the excess oxygen generated through hydrogen production to reoxygenate water in rivers where hydropower plants are situated. Idaho Power has already witnessed positive results by adding oxygen to the water flowing out of Brownlee Dam in Hells Canyon, according to Dumas.
To realize the envisioned benefits, INL, PNNL, and Idaho Power are embarking on a comprehensive analysis of the economic and environmental impacts associated with integrating hydrogen production and hydropower. Advanced modeling and analytical techniques will be developed by the project team to explore various deployment scenarios and maximize the advantages of hydropower-based hydrogen production.
Di Wu, the technical lead and chief research engineer at PNNL, emphasized the need for advanced modeling and optimization techniques to effectively schedule hydrogen production while accounting for energy shifting opportunities and oxygen requirements, considering both system- and component-level constraints.
To evaluate the most promising electrolysis technologies and hydrogen use cases, INL researchers will employ the Hydrogen Analysis (H2A) software tool, which has proven effective for techno-economic evaluation in other hydrogen production and usage applications. The tool enables screening studies and provides access to calculations and intermediate results.
PNNL researchers will build on the results of the screening study to model and optimize the hydrogen production system. Through the Hydrogen Energy Storage Evaluation Tool and data analysis, INL and PNNL researchers will determine how to implement the right set of technologies to achieve the best performance.
“While hydropower and hydrogen both offer immense economic and environmental benefits on their own, combining their use in one application offers new opportunities for enhancing grid stability, improving environmental outcomes and creating a cleaner energy economy,” Wendt said.
