Impact of large-scale hydrogen electrification and retrofitting of natural gas infrastructure on the European power system

G. Morales-España, R. Hernández-Serna, D.A. Tejada, M. Weeda

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems Vol. 155, nº. Part B, pp. 109686-1 - 109686-17

Summary:

In this paper, we aim to analyse the impact of hydrogen production decarbonisation and electrification scenarios on the infrastructure development, generation mix, CO2 emissions, and system costs of the European power system, considering the retrofit of the natural gas infrastructure. We define a reference scenario for the European power system in 2050 and use scenario variants to obtain additional insights by breaking down the effects of different assumptions. The scenarios were analysed using the European electricity market model COMPETES, including a proposed formulation to consider retrofitting existing natural gas networks to transport hydrogen instead of methane. According to the results, 60% of the EU’s hydrogen demand is electrified, and approximately 30% of the total electricity demand will be to cover that hydrogen demand. The primary source of this electricity would be non-polluting technologies. Moreover, hydrogen flexibility significantly increases variable renewable energy investment and production, and reduces CO2 emissions. In contrast, relying on only electricity transmission increases costs and CO2 emissions, emphasising the importance of investing in an H2 network through retrofitting or new pipelines. In conclusion, this paper shows that electrifying hydrogen is necessary and cost-effective to achieve the EU’s objective of reducing long-term emissions.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este artículo examina los efectos de la producción de hidrógeno, la descarbonización y la electrificación en el sistema eléctrico europeo de aquí a 2050, utilizando el modelo COMPETES. Se concluye que la electrificación del 60% de la demanda de hidrógeno de la UE reduce las emisiones de CO2 y es rentable, lo que enfatiza la importancia de modernizar las redes de gas para el transporte de hidrógeno.

English layman's summary:

This paper examines the effects of hydrogen production, decarbonisation, and electrification on Europe's power system by 2050, using COMPETES model. It finds that electrification of 60% of the EU's hydrogen demand reduces CO2 emissions and is cost-effective, emphasizing the importance of retrofitting gas networks for hydrogen transport.

Keywords: Hydrogen; Electrification; Retrofit; Steam methane reforming

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 5,000 - Q1 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2023.109686

Published on paper: January 2024.

Published on-line: November 2023.

Citation:
G. Morales-España, R. Hernández-Serna, D.A. Tejada, M. Weeda, Impact of large-scale hydrogen electrification and retrofitting of natural gas infrastructure on the European power system. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Vol. 155, nº. Part B, pp. 109686-1 - 109686-17, January 2024. [Online: November 2023]