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Reversible Power-to-Gas systems for energy conversion and storage

Author

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  • Gunther Glenk

    (University of Mannheim, MIT CEEPR, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Stefan Reichelstein

    (Stanford University, Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW))

Abstract

In the transition to decarbonized energy systems, Power-to-Gas (PtG) processes have the potential to connect the existing markets for electricity and hydrogen. Specifically, reversible PtG systems can convert electricity to hydrogen at times of ample power supply, yet they can also operate in the reverse direction to deliver electricity during times when power is relatively scarce. Here we develop a model for determining when reversible PtG systems are economically viable. We apply the model to the current market environment in both Germany and Texas and find that the reversibility feature of unitized regenerative fuel cells (solid oxide) makes them already cost-competitive at current hydrogen prices, provided the fluctuations in electricity prices are as pronounced as currently observed in Texas. We further project that, due to their inherent flexibility, reversible PtG systems would remain economically viable at substantially lower hydrogen prices in the future, provided recent technological trends continue over the coming decade.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunther Glenk & Stefan Reichelstein, 2022. "Reversible Power-to-Gas systems for energy conversion and storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29520-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29520-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Zecchi & Giulia Sandrini & Marco Gadola & Daniel Chindamo, 2022. "Modeling of a Hybrid Fuel Cell Powertrain with Power Split Logic for Onboard Energy Management Using a Longitudinal Dynamics Simulation Tool," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Guerra, K. & Gutiérrez-Alvarez, R. & Guerra, Omar J. & Haro, P., 2023. "Opportunities for low-carbon generation and storage technologies to decarbonise the future power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    3. Glenk, Gunther & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2022. "The economic dynamics of competing power generation sources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. Okunlola, Ayodeji & Davis, Matthew & Kumar, Amit, 2023. "Assessing the cost competitiveness of electrolytic hydrogen production from small modular nuclear reactor-based power plants: A price-following perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    5. Hren, Robert & Vujanović, Annamaria & Van Fan, Yee & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Krajnc, Damjan & Čuček, Lidija, 2023. "Hydrogen production, storage and transport for renewable energy and chemicals: An environmental footprint assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Sun, Yi & Qian, Tang & Zhu, Jingdong & Zheng, Nan & Han, Yu & Xiao, Gang & Ni, Meng & Xu, Haoran, 2023. "Dynamic simulation of a reversible solid oxide cell system for efficient H2 production and power generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).

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