Influences of a hydrogen electrolyser demand on distribution network under different operational constraints and electricity pricing scenarios

With the long term goal of greenhouse gases reduction by at least 80% set by the UK government, and 100% renewable penetration aimed in Scotland by 2020, water electrolyser and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles provide the potential to contribute to the goals through increasing penetration of renewables in and reducing the CO2 emissions in road transportation. The project on Impact of Electrolysers on the Distribution Network carried out by SSEPD secured innovation funding with an aim to investigate the potential impact of this type of technology on the electrical network. In this project, electrolyser needs to supply sufficient amount of H2 to provide for 10 fuel cell buses running daily in Aberdeen urban area. A number of trials looking at various commercial arrangements and technical requirements are designed to test potential ability of electrolysers to operate under different pricing strategies or schemes designed to help integration of renewable resources.