Optimal Dynamic Operation of Electrolyzers Considering Power Demand of Peripheral Devices

The demand for green hydrogen is growing rapidly. It is a key technology to achieve a carbon neutral society. Green hydrogen can be produced at a competitive price using excess green energy from volatile wind and solar power generation. Electrolyzers can be flexible loads and support grid balancing. Excess green energy will be available on short notice, thus requiring short term energy dispatch. These circumstances demand dynamic operation of electrolyzers and their necessary peripheral components such as water treatment and hydrogen compressor. This paper presents an optimal control scheme for electrolyzer systems considering the significant power consumption of peripheral components. An optimal control scheme is established based on operational and economic models of electrolyzer, compressor and water treatment. The control scheme performance is demonstrated by simulations.