System perspective of bioenergy and hydrogen synergies – A case of Island

Sweden has set the energy system carbon neutrality goal to be achieved by 2045. Integration of renewable and intermittent electricity generation in wind and solar power plants, requires energy system flexibility. There are opportunities to provide the flexibility from biobased value chains both in the short and long-term. In this study, a dynamic energy system optimization model is developed using the TIMES modeling framework and is applied from the perspective of the energy system of the Swedish island of Gotland. Carbon neutral energy system scenarios are designed and integrated into the model to assess cost-efficient integration of bioenergy, bio- and electricity-based hydrogen, and the corresponding downstream technologies to the island's energy system. The results show that non-existence of large-scale offshore wind power plants in the electricity system assist the most favorable condition for the maximum utilization of bioenergy feedstock on the island. To realize the potential synergies between the bioenergy sector and hydrogen technologies a more balanced level of resource availability for the bio- or electricity-based hydrogen technologies is vital.