Enhancing distribution system hosting capacity with hydrogen electrolyser technology

The rapid expansion of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) has led to a significant change in the operation of the electrical distribution network. As the percentage of RES increases, it becomes increasingly challenging to keep the power system balanced and guarantee a proper operation of the network because of the unpredictable nature of RES. Power-to-hydrogen (PtH) technology, which converts surplus of renewable energy into hydrogen, allows addressing problems such as overvoltages, overloading, and maximizing renewable energy penetration, offering system flexibility, and improving the overall hosting capacity and efficiency of the distribution network. While existing studies often address the role of electrolysers at a general or theoretical level, they typically do not inclu de detailed network studies that assess their specific impact on real-world distribution networks. The paper builds on a previous paper by the authors which, through techno-economic comparisons, identified system configurations with Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) as the most effective way to manage the variability of RES. In this paper, considering a realistic Italian medium-voltage distribution network, the effectiveness of a PEM electrolyser in enhancing the hosting capacity of distribution networks is assessed. This analysis of a real distribution network, both with and without an electrolyser, will provide an in-depth insight of hydrogen electrolyser contribution in enhancing the integration of RES into distribution networks.