Hydrogen production from a run-of-river hydropower plant: Modeling the economic viability

The increasing global demand for clean energy underscores the need to harness otherwise untapped energy sources. This study examines the utilization of run-of-river hydropower for hydrogen production via alkaline electrolysis. The proposed energy systems integrate electrolyzers, ranging from 1–10 MW, with a planned hydropower plant in Bordalen, Norway. Using 20 years of river inflow data, a MATLAB-based model is developed to estimate hydrogen yield and assess economic viability. The analysis evaluates electrolyzer performance under variable hydropower conditions, considering efficiency, start-up/shutdown frequency, and the impact of fluctuating water inflows. Results reveal significant variability between dry and wet years, posing optimization challenges for system sizing. Estimated hydrogen production costs range from 4.19 €/kg to 6.21 €/kg, with the 5 MW electrolyzer offering the lowest cost. The study also indicates that it is more profitable to run the electrolyzers at full load, even when the electricity price from the grid is slightly higher than electricity production costs from run-of-river power plants. • Simulations of H 2 production using electricity supply from a run-off river hydropower plant. • The analysis incorporates 30-years of historical hydropower inflow data with 24-hour resolution. • Proposing a method for optimization of electrolyzer size, based on a real-world case scenario. • The lowest LCOH estimated to 4,2 €/kg utilizing a 5 MW electrolyzer.