Mitigating Wind Power Curtailment through Hydrogen Energy Storage Systems

The curtailment of wind energy presents a substantial challenge for power systems with high renewable penetration, leading to energy wastage when wind generation exceeds demand. In Brazil, this issue is particularly pronounced in the Northeast, where periods of low demand frequently coincide with high wind availability. Redirecting curtailed energy to hydrogen production via electrolysis has been emerging as a promising solution for large-scale energy storage. However, its economic and operational feasibility within the Brazilian grid still needs to be explored. In this context, this research assesses the potential for utilizing curtailed wind energy to produce green hydrogen, aiming to optimize energy utilization and mitigate curtailment within Brazil’s National Interconnected System (SIN). Through modeling with the SDDP software, hydrogen production operations are simulated under variable wind and demand conditions. Results indicate that hydrogen production can mitigate curtailment, enhance grid stability, and yield a positive return on investment, supporting the role of green hydrogen in advancing renewable energy integration and grid flexibility.