EP4177378A1

EP4177378A1 - System and method for hydrogen production and storage

Info

Publication number: EP4177378A1
Application number: EP21206730.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ian NACHEMSON; Olof HERNELL; Nils MARNFELDT; Bror STYREN; Mirko GONTEK
Original assignee: H2gs Boden Electrolyzer AB
Current assignee: H2gs Boden Electrolyzer AB
Priority date: 2021-11-05
Filing date: 2021-11-05
Publication date: 2023-05-10

Abstract

A system (100) and method (500) for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage, are provided. The system comprises an electrical power source (110), at least one electrochemical arrangement (120) arranged to produce hydrogen, H₂, and at least one storage unit (130) arranged to store the hydrogen, H₂, produced by the at least one electrochemical arrangement. The system further comprises a control unit (140) being configured to receive a first set of data (150) associated with a first cost of electrical power, receive a second set of data (160) associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power, and control an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement, based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by at least one optimization criterion (170) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for hydrogen production and storage. More specifically, the present invention is related to a controlled operation of the production of hydrogen, and the storage thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The political landscape of today's society strives for an increased use of renewable energy sources and for industrial processes which are environmental friendly and which may use power provided from these sources. Related to this is the area of energy storage, which is becoming an important asset in connection with electrical power grids comprising and/or connected to renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen, H₂, can be used as a chemical feed-stock and processing gas, or as an energy carrier for energy applications. Depending on the type of hydrogen production used, different colors are often assigned to the hydrogen within the energy industry. For example, green hydrogen is produced or extracted using method(s) that do not produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The production of blue hydrogen produces GHGs, but carbon capture and storage technologies capture and store the emissions, whereas grey hydrogen production does not capture the emissions. Brown hydrogen (from brown coal) and black hydrogen (from black coal) are produced via gasification, converting carbon-rich materials into hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO₂), and releasing the CO₂ into the atmosphere. It is desirable to produce hydrogen in the most environmentally friendly way possible, i.e. to avoid brown and/or black hydrogen, and prioritize green hydrogen. Comparing hydrogen as an energy carrier with hydrocarbon fuels, hydrogen is unique in dealing with emissions and most notably greenhouse gas emissions because hydrogen energy conversion has potentially no emissions other than water vapor.
The use of hydrogen will furthermore play an important role in the ongoing development of steel production. In typical steel production, carbon is used as a reductant. However, the carbon reductant can be replaced with hydrogen, which may result in a steel production process which is substantially emissions-free. Hence, there is a wish to develop the ability to produce and store hydrogen for numerous applications, wherein steel production constitutes a highly interesting area for the use of the produced/stored hydrogen.
However, there are challenges related to the production and storage of hydrogen from energy provided from electrical power sources. For example, in case of wind and/or solar energy, the production of electrical power by these electrical power sources, and in some cases as distributed and provided by electrical power grid(s), may infer irregularities and/or imbalances caused by production variations. In order to compensate for these variations, transmission system operators may allow customers to reduce and increase electrical power imbalances through a variety of energy system services like reserve services and/or spot markets. Consequently, however, there may be problems related to relatively high and/or fluctuating costs related to the acquisition of electrical power.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to try to overcome at least some of the challenges related to the production and storage of hydrogen by electrical power provided from an electrical power source, and to provide a system and method related to hydrogen production and/or storage management which aims to achieve a desired production and storage of hydrogen in an environmentally friendly manner whilst optimizing costs related to the provided electrical power and/or balancing load and/or frequency in the supply of electrical power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is of interest to overcome at least some of the challenges related to the production and storage of hydrogen by electrical power provided from an electrical power source, and to provide a system and method related to hydrogen production and/or storage management which aims to achieve a desired production and storage of hydrogen in an environmentally friendly manner whilst optimizing costs related to the electrical power provided for the hydrogen production and/or storage, and/or balancing load and/or frequency in the supply of electrical power.
This and other objects are achieved by providing a system and a method having the features in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage. The system comprises an electrical power source arranged to provide electrical power, and at least one electrochemical arrangement coupled to the electrical power source, wherein the at least one electrochemical arrangement is arranged to produce hydrogen, H₂. The system comprises at least one storage unit coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement, wherein the at least one storage unit is arranged to store the hydrogen, H₂, produced by the at least one electrochemical arrangement. The system further comprises a control unit coupled to the electrical power source and the at least one electrochemical arrangement. The control unit is configured to receive a first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source. The control unit is further configured to receive a second set of data associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source. The control unit is further configured to control an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement, based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage. The method comprises receiving electrical power from an electrical power source. The method further comprises receiving a first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power received from the electrical power source, and receiving a second set of data associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power received from the electrical power source. The method further comprises producing hydrogen, H₂, by at least one electrochemical arrangement coupled to the electrical power source, by controlling an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data. The method further comprises storing the produced hydrogen, H₂.
Thus, the present invention is based on the idea of providing a system and method for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage, wherein the operation and/or management of the electrochemical arrangement(s) for producing the hydrogen is based on optimization as a function of data associated with costs related to the electrical power and ancillary service(s) thereof.
The present invention is advantageous in that the system and method may achieve a desired and/or demanded production and storage of hydrogen whilst efficiently and conveniently optimizing costs related to the provided electrical power for such a production and/or storage. It will be appreciated that an increase of (renewable) electrical power sources such as e.g. wind and/or solar energy source(s) may lead to production and/or frequency imbalances in the supply of electrical power to the electrochemical arrangement(s) caused by variations in the energy production. By the system and method of the present invention, being configured to control and optimize the production and storage of hydrogen based on the supply of electrical power and cost(s) related thereto, which in turn are affected by possible fluctuations related to the provision of the electrical power, a convenient and efficient management of the hydrogen production and storage is achieved.
The present invention is further advantageous in that it provides a system for the management of production and storage of hydrogen which balances load and frequency in the supply of electrical power. Hence, by the system of the present invention, electrical power grid operators may be supported in keeping the stability of the load and/or frequency in the electrical power grid.
The present invention is further advantageous in that it provides a system for the production and storage of hydrogen whilst striving to minimize the cost of such hydrogen production and storage.
The present invention is further advantageous in that the production of hydrogen by the electrochemical arrangement(s) in the system is environmentally friendly. Notably, the electrochemical arrangement(s) produce green hydrogen, meaning that the process(es) of the electrochemical arrangement(s) do not produce GHG emissions.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage. The system comprises an electrical power source arranged to provide electrical power. By the term "electrical power source", it is here meant substantially any energy source which is able to generate, provide an/or supply electrical power. It should be noted that "electrical power source" may encompass a plurality of sources, such as renewable energy sources, which may be configured and/or able to generate, provide an/or supply electrical power. The system comprises at least one electrochemical arrangement coupled to the electrical power source. By the term "electrochemical arrangement", it is here meant an arrangement, device, unit, or the like which is configured to convert electrical power (energy) into chemical energy or vice versa, i.e. to convert chemical energy into electrical power (energy). In other terms, the electrochemical arrangement(s) constitute equipment arranged to facilitate the evolution of hydrogen via electrochemical reactions. The system comprises at least one storage unit coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement, wherein the at least one storage unit is arranged to store the hydrogen, H₂, produced by the at least one electrochemical arrangement. Hence, the storage unit(s) is (are) coupled and/or connected to the electrochemical arrangement(s) and is (are) arranged or configured to store the hydrogen, H₂, which is produced by the electrochemical arrangement(s). The system further comprises a control unit coupled to the electrical power source and the at least one electrochemical arrangement. By the term "control unit", it is here meant substantially any system, device, unit, processor, or the like which is configured for a control, operation and/or management of the electrochemical arrangement(s). The control unit is configured to receive a first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source. Hence, the first set of data is associated, related and/or linked to a first cost or price of electrical power. The control unit is further configured to receive a second set of data associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source. Hence, the second set of data is associated, related and/or linked to a second cost or price of ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source. By the term "ancillary service" it is here meant an ancillary or balancing service or function that helps electrical power grid operators maintain a reliable electricity system such as maintaining the proper flow and direction of electricity, addressing imbalances between supply and demand, and/or helping the system recover after a power system event. Alternatively, by the term "ancillary service" it is here meant an ancillary or balancing service which supports the transmission of electric power from electrical power sources to consumers given the obligations of control areas and transmission utilities within those control areas to maintain reliable operations of an interconnected transmission system.
The control unit is further configured to control an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement, based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data. Hence, the control unit is configured to control an operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) by one or more optimization criteria as a function of (or based on) the first and second sets of data. By "optimization criterion", it is here meant any criterion, condition, constraint, function, or the like, which is used for optimizing the control of the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) with the first set of data and the second set of data as parameters, which in turn are associated with the costs of the electrical power, and the ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power, respectively, provided from the electrical power source. It will be appreciated that the first cost or price of electrical power, and the optimization thereof, may be denoted "power arbitrage". It should be noted that the first set of data and/or the second set of data may not necessarily drive control and/or decision-making by the control unit in real time. In other words, the first set of data and/or the second set of data may be used (e.g. across time series) by the control unit, e.g. via generation of a set of rules activated in real time by the control unit.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optimization criterion of the at least one optimization criterion may be associated with an activation of the at least one ancillary service and a deactivation of the at least one ancillary service, respectively, as a function of the second set of data. Hence, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) via an optimization criterion associated with an activation and/or a deactivation of the ancillary service(s) as a function of the second set of data, which in turn is related to the cost of the ancillary service(s). The present embodiment is advantageous in that the production and storage of hydrogen, based on the ancillary service activation/deactivation may be performed in an even more economical or cost-efficient manner.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may further be configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement by selection of at least one electrochemical arrangement of the at least one electrochemical arrangement for operation, and control of the operation of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement by at least one of an increase of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement, a decrease of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement, and a maintenance of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement. In other words, the control unit may be configured to first select one or more of the electrochemical arrangement(s) to operate, and thereafter, to control the selected electrochemical arrangement(s) by an increase (i.e. "ramp up"), a decrease (i.e. "ramp down") and/or a holding/maintenance of the operational level (level of operation) of the selected electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by the optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data. It will be appreciated that the selection of the electrochemical arrangement(s) by the control unit may be performed according to an optimization criterion, e.g. as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data. The present embodiment is advantageous in that one or more specific electrochemical arrangements may be selected for the hydrogen production and that this (these) selected electrochemical arrangement(s) may be operated (individually) by increasing, decreasing and/or maintaining the operation level(s) thereof, which may even further contribute to the desired hydrogen production and storage, and the cost-efficiency thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system may further comprise at least one sensor coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement and the control unit, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data from the at least one electrochemical arrangement, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function the generated sensor data. By the term "sensor", it is here meant substantially any sensor unit, device, or the like, which is configured to sense and/or register data from the electrochemical arrangement(s). Hence, the control unit is configured to control the electrochemical arrangement(s) based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data, as well as based on the electrochemical arrangement(s) sensor data, which may relate to one or more properties of the electrochemical arrangement(s). The present embodiment is advantageous in that the sensed data from the electrochemical arrangement(s) may contribute to the control thereof, i.e. in addition to the optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first cost comprising an actual cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and the second cost comprising an actual cost of the at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, may be fulfilled. By the term "actual cost", it is here meant a cost which is set (fixed), determined or provided for the electrical power and/or the ancillary service(s) of the electrical power sources. It will be appreciated that the actual cost may be a cost that is set (fixed) in advance. Hence, the first and second costs may comprise actual costs of the electrical power and the ancillary services associated therewith, and the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data, wherein the first and second sets of data may be associated with these actual costs. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the optimization performed by the control unit, based on actual cost(s), may result in an even more cost-efficient production and storage of hydrogen.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may further be configured to predict at least one of a first future cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and a second future cost of the at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of at least one of the predicted first future cost and the predicted second future cost. By the term "future cost", it is here meant a predicted or estimated cost, i.e. a forthcoming cost as predicted or estimated of the electrical power (first future cost) and of the ancillary service(s) (second future cost). Hence, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data, wherein these first and second sets of data may be associated with costs predicted/estimated by the control unit. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the optimization performed by the control unit, based on predicted/estimated cost(s), may result in an even more cost-efficient production and storage of hydrogen.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may further be configured to predict at least one of the first future cost and the second future cost by at least one machine learning, ML, model. Hence, the control unit may be configured to predict or estimate the first and/or second future cost(s) by one or more ML models. By "machine learning, ML, model", it is here meant a model comprising one or more computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the predictions/estimations of the first and/or second future cost(s) performed by the control unit may be improved even further. Consequently, this may lead to an even more improved control and/or management of the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) for hydrogen production and storage.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first set of data and the second set of data may comprise weather data associated with the electrical power source. By the term "weather data", it is here meant data related and/or associated with the weather, wherein the weather data in turn is related and/or associated with the electrical power source. Hence, the first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power and/or the second set of data associated with a second cost of ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power may comprise weather data associated with the electrical power source, and the control unit of the system may hereby control an operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first and second sets of data. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the ability of the control unit to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) based on weather data, via the first and second sets of data, may to an even higher extent optimize the production and the storage of hydrogen, and the cost-efficiency thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be further configured to receive at least one of a third set of data associated with at least one first constraint associated with the at least one storage unit, and a fourth set of data associated with at least one second constraint associated with the at least one electrochemical arrangement, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of at least one of the third set of data and the fourth set of data. By the term "constraint", it is here meant a condition, limitation, or the like, of the storage unit(s) and/or electrochemical arrangement(s). By the present embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first, second, third and fourth sets of data.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one ancillary service may comprise at least one of a frequency containment reserve normal, FCR-N, service, a frequency containment reserve disturbance, FCR-D, service, an automatic frequency restoration reserve, aFRR, service, a manual frequency restoration reserve, mFRR, service, a fast frequency reserve, FFR, service, a replacement reserve, RR, service, a balancing mechanism, BM, service, an enhanced frequency response, EFR, service, a demand side response, DFR, service, a demand turn up, DTU, service, a firm frequency response, FFR, service, a fast reserve, FR, service, a short term operating reserve, STOR, service, a dynamic containment, DC, service, and a transmission constraint management, TCM, service. It will be appreciated that different countries or geographical regions may have different names of the ancillary services. Hence, the ancillary or balancing service(s) associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source may comprise one or more of the services described. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the control unit may control an operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) based on substantially any ancillary service or any combination of ancillary services.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one electrochemical arrangement may comprise at least one of an electrolytic cell, an electrochemical cell, and a galvanic cell. Hence, the electrochemical arrangement(s) may comprise one or more electrolytic cells configured to convert electrical power (energy) into chemical energy, and/or one or more electrochemical and/or galvanic cells configured to convert chemical energy into electrical power. Due to the different properties and concepts of the electrochemical arrangement(s) as exemplified, the system may be configured and/or designed for optimizing the production and the storage of hydrogen, and the cost-efficiency thereof. For example, the system may comprise a (single) kind of electrochemical arrangement (e.g. one or more electrolytic cells) or, alternatively, a combination of electrochemical arrangements of different kinds (e.g. one or more electrolytic cells, electrochemical cells and galvanic cells) for an optimized operation thereof via the control unit.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one electrochemical arrangement may comprise at least one of a polymer electrolyte membrane, PEM, electrolyzer, a solid oxide electrolyzer cell, SOEC, electrolyzer, an alkaline water electrolysis, AWE, electrolyzer, an anion exchange membrane, AEM, electrolyzer, and a pressurized alkaline electrolyzer. Hence, the electrochemical arrangement(s) may comprise one or more PEM, SOEC, AWE, AEM and/or pressurized alkaline electrolyzer(s). It should be noted that the disclosed electrolyzers have different properties, modes of operation, efficiency, etc. Based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and as a function of the first and second sets of data, the control unit may hereby control the electrochemical arrangement(s) by the optimization criterion(s), via any operation and/or combination of operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s). For example, the control unit may be configured to operate one or more electrolyzers in a same category (e.g. only PEM electrolyzer(s)), to operate one or more electrolyzers in a first category during a first time interval and one or more electrolyzers in a second category during a second time interval, etc. By this optimized or customized operation of the electrolyzer(s) by the control unit, the present embodiment is advantageous in that the system may to an even higher extent optimize the production and the storage of hydrogen, and the cost-efficiency thereof.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage. The arrangement may comprise the system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, and an electrical power grid arranged for delivery of electrical power, wherein the electrical power grid comprises the electrical power source. By the term "electrical power grid", it is here meant an interconnected network for electricity generation and/or delivery from producer(s) to consumer(s). Hence, according to the embodiment, the electrical power source(s) of the system is (are) connected to the electrical power grid of the arrangement, and the control unit is configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s), based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by optimization criterion(s) as a function of the first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source in the electrical power grid, and as a function of the second set of data associated with a second cost of ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source in the electrical power grid.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an industrial system. The industrial system may comprise a system according to any one of the preceding embodiments or the arrangement according to the preceding embodiment.
The industrial system may further comprise at least one electrical power consumption unit coupled to the at least one storage unit, wherein the at least one electrical power consumption unit is configured to consume electrical power converted from hydrogen, H₂, received from the at least one storage unit, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of a demand for electrical power at the at least one electrical power consumption unit. Hence, the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) is controlled by the control unit both as a function of the first and second sets of data associated with electrical power and ancillary service costs, as well as a demand for electrical power at the electrical power consumption unit(s) which consume electrical power converted from hydrogen received from the storage unit(s). By the term "electrical power consumption unit", it is meant substantially any unit, device, arrangement, process, or the like, which is configured to consume electrical power during operation. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the arrangement is configured to optimize and/or balance the production and storage of hydrogen in a cost-efficient manner, whilst being able to control the hydrogen production and storage based on the demand for electrical power at the electrical power consumption unit(s).
Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 2 schematically shows a control unit of a system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 3 schematically shows (an) electrochemical arrangement(s) and a storage unit of the system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 4 schematically shows an industrial system comprising a system for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, and
Fig. 5 schematically shows a method for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 schematically shows a system 100 for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 comprises an electrical power source 110 arranged to provide electrical power. The electrical power source 110, which may comprise substantially any kind of power source(s) 100, is exemplified in Fig. 1 as a solar power source 110a, a wind power source 110b, and a water power source 110c. It should be noted that substantially any energy or power source (renewable or non-renewable) which is able to generate, provide an/or supply electrical power may constitute an electrical power source 110 according to the present invention.
The system 100 further comprises at least one electrochemical arrangement 120 coupled to the electrical power source 110. In Fig. 1, the electrochemical arrangements 120 are exemplified as three electrochemical arrangements 120a-c, but it should be noted that the number of electrochemical arrangements 120 is arbitrary. Furthermore, the kind or type of electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 may be arbitrary, as the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 may comprise e.g. one or more electrolytic cells configured to convert electrical power (energy) into chemical energy, and/or one or more electrochemical and/or galvanic cells configured to convert chemical energy into electrical power. The system 100 may comprise a (single) kind or type of electrochemical arrangement 120 (e.g. one or more electrolytic cells) or, alternatively, a combination of electrochemical arrangements 120 of different kinds or types (e.g. one or more electrolytic cells, electrochemical cells and galvanic cells). For example, the system 100 may comprise one or more electrolyzers of PEM, SOEC, AWE and/or AEM type, or a pressurized alkaline electrolyzer.
The system 100 as exemplified in Fig. 1 further comprises at least one storage unit 130 which is coupled to the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The storage unit(s) 130 is (are) arranged to store the hydrogen, H₂, produced by the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The storage unit(s) 130 is (are) exemplified as a single storage unit 130, but it should be noted that the number of storage units 130 is arbitrary.
In Fig. 1, the system 100 further comprises a control unit 140 which is coupled to (arranged between) the electrical power source 110 and the at least one electrochemical arrangement 120. The control unit 140 is schematically indicated, and may constitute substantially any system, device, unit, processor, or the like which is configured for a control of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The control unit 140 may hereby be described as a management platform of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The control unit 140 is configured to receive a first set of data 150 associated with a first cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110. The first set of data 150 may be received from the electrical power source 110 or from any other unit, system, or the like. The first set of data 150 is exemplified in Fig. 1 by two subsets 150a, 150b of the first set of data 150, albeit the number of subsets of the first set of data 150 is arbitrary. For example, the first subset 150a of the first set of data 150 may be associated with a cost or price of electrical power at a next (forthcoming) day or days. Furthermore, the second subset 150b of the first set of data 150 may, for example, be associated with a cost of electrical power during the (present) day. In other words, the first set of data 150 may be associated and/or comprise future (day-ahead) market costs/prices and/or spot market costs/prices of electrical power. It will be appreciated that the time interval(s) (i.e. duration) and/or the date (i.e. day) for the cost(s) of electrical power may be chosen arbitrarily.
The control unit 140 of the system 100 is further configured to receive a second set of data 160 associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110. In other words, the second set of data 160 may be associated and/or comprise future (day-ahead) costs/prices and/or spot costs/prices of (tendered) ancillary services. The ancillary (balancing) service(s) may, for example, comprise one or more of a FCR-N, FCR-D, mFRR, FFR, RR, BM, EFR, DFR, DTU, FR, STOR, DC and/or TCM service. The second set of data 160 is exemplified in Fig. 1 by three subsets 150a-c of the second set of data, albeit the number of subsets of the second set of data is arbitrary. For example, the first subset 160a of the second set of data 160 may be associated with a second cost of a FCR-N service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110, the second subset 160b of the second set of data 160 may be associated with a second cost of a FRR service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110, and the third subset 160c of the second set of data 160 may be associated with a second cost of a FCR-D service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110.
In Fig. 1, the control unit 140 of the system 100 is further configured to control an operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110, by at least one optimization criterion 170 as a function of the first set of data 150 and the second set of data 160. Hence, the control unit 140 uses the first and second sets of data 150, 160 as inputs, and is configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 by one or more optimization criterions 170. For example, the optimization criterion(s) 170 may comprise a cost function for minimizing a cost with respect to the first and second sets of data 150, 160, which in turn are associated with the cost of the electrical power and the ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110, respectively. This management, operation and/or optimization of the control unit 140 via the optimization criterion(s) 170 may be performed whilst still meeting any other (possible) criterion(s) related to the production and/or storage of hydrogen via the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. For example, one optimization criterion may be associated with an activation of the ancillary service(s) and/or a deactivation of the ancillary service(s) as a function of the second set of data 160.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a control unit 140 of a system 100 for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the system 100 and/or the control unit 140 thereof may be the same or similar to that exemplified in Fig. 1, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 1 and the associated text for an increased understanding of the system 100 and the control unit 140. According to the example of Fig. 2, the first cost of the first set of data 150 comprises an actual cost 155 of electrical power provided from the electrical power source 110. Analogously, the second cost of the second set of data 160 comprises an actual cost 165 of the ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source. The term "actual cost" represents a cost which is set (fixed), determined or provided for the electrical power and/or the ancillary service(s) of the electrical power source. Hence, the first and second costs of the first and second sets of data 150, 160 may comprise actual costs 155, 165 of the electrical power and the ancillary services associated therewith, and the control unit 140 may be configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 by optimization criterion(s) 170 as a function of the actual first and second costs 155, 165.
In Fig. 2, the control unit 140 may further be configured to predict a first future cost 175 of electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and a second future cost 185 of the at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source. The term "future cost" represents a predicted or estimated cost, i.e. a forthcoming cost as predicted or estimated of the electrical power (first future cost 175) and of the ancillary service(s) (second future cost 185). The first and second future costs 175, 180 are schematically indicated as outputs from the optimization criterion(s) 170 of the control unit 140. In other words, the system 100, via the control unit 140, may perform predictions of day-ahead and/or intra-day market costs/prices for controlling power arbitrage and ancillary services. For example, the first subset (not shown) of the first set of data 150 may be associated with a cost or price of electrical power at a next (forthcoming) day or days, and the second subset (not shown) of the first set of data 150 may be associated with a cost of electrical power during the (present) day.
The first and/or second future costs 175, 185 may be predicted by the control unit 140 independently, or dependently, of the actual first and second costs 155, 165. The control unit 140 may hereby be configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 by optimization criterion(s) 170 as a function of the predicted first and second future costs 175, 185. According to an example, the control unit 140 may be configured to predict the first future cost 175 and/or the second future cost 185 by one or more machine learning, ML, models 190, as schematically indicated by dashed lines in the optimization criterion(s) 170. For example, the ML model(s) 190 may comprise algorithms based on ARIMA (Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average), ANN (Artificial Neural Network), etc. It will be appreciated that details of the ML model(s) 190, comprising one or more computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data, are known to the skilled man and are therefore omitted. According to an example, at least one of the first set of data 150 and the second set of data 160 may comprise weather data 195 associated with the electrical power source, wherein the term "weather data" represents data related and/or associated with the weather. For example, the weather data 195 may comprise actual (current, present) weather data and/or forecast weather data. Furthermore, the weather data 195 may be related to substantially any kind of weather, such as sun, wind, precipitation, etc. For example, in case of relatively strong winds during a period in time (either current and/or forecast), and in case the system 100 comprises one or more wind power sources, the weather data 195 may indicate a relatively high level of electrical power from the wind power source(s) provided in the system 100, which furthermore may influence the first and/or second sets of data 150, 160 associated with a first cost 155 of electrical power, and a second cost 165 of ancillary service(s) associated with the electrical power, respectively, provided from the electrical power source. Hence, the control unit 140 may control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) accordingly, i.e. as a function of the weather data 195, and as a function of the first and second sets of data 150, 160.
Fig. 3 schematically shows (an) electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 and a storage unit 130 of the system 100 for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the system 100, the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 and/or the storage unit 130 may be the same or similar to that exemplified in Fig. 1, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 1 and the associated text for an increased understanding of the system 100, the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 and the storage unit 130.
In Fig. 3, the system 100 further comprises at least one sensor 200 coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 and the control unit (not shown). As exemplified in Fig. 3, each electrochemical arrangement 120a-c comprises a respective sensor 200a-c, although it should be noted that the electrochemical arrangements 120a-c may comprise substantially any number of sensors 200. The sensor(s) 200 is (are) configured to generate sensor data (not shown) from the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The sensor data may comprise substantially any data related to property(ies), condition(s), efficiency, or the like of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120. The control unit may hereby be further configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 as a function the generated sensor data. Hence, according to this example, the control unit is configured to control the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by one or more optimization criterions as a function of the first and second sets of data, as well as a function of the electrochemical arrangement(s) sensor data. In combination with, or independently of, the provision of sensor(s) 200 in the system 100, the control unit may be further configured to receive a third set of data 210 associated with one or more first constraints associated with the storage unit 130, and a fourth set of data 220 associated with one or more second constraints associated with the electrochemical arrangement(s) 200. The third and fourth sets of data 210, 220 may be associated with substantially any constraints related to limitation(s), condition(s), or the like of the storage unit 130 and electrochemical arrangement(s) 120.
Fig. 4 schematically shows an industrial system 400 comprising a system 100 according to any one of preceding embodiments. It will be appreciated that the system 100 may be the same or similar to that exemplified in Fig. 1, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 1 and the associated text for an increased understanding of the system 100. Hence, in Fig. 4, the control unit 140 of the system 100 is merely schematically indicated by dashed lines for reasons of simplicity. According to this example, the industrial system 400 further comprises an electrical power grid 405. The electrical power grid 405 is arranged for delivery of electrical power, wherein the electrical power grid 405 comprises electrical power source(s) of the system 100. The electrical power grid 405 is exemplified by connections of the exemplified electrical power sources for illustrative purposes only. The industrial system 400 further comprises at least one electrical power consumption unit 410 coupled to the at least one storage unit (not shown) of the system 100. The electrical power consumption unit(s) 410, which may be substantially any unit, device, plant, arrangement, process, or the like, which is configured to consume electrical power during operation, is configured to consume electrical power converted from hydrogen, H₂, received from the storage unit(s) 130 and produced by the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 of the system 100. The control unit 140 of the system 100 is further configured to control the operation of the electrochemical arrangement(s) 120 as a function of a demand for electrical power at the electrical power consumption unit(s) 410.
Fig. 5 schematically shows a method 500 for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage according to an exemplifying embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. The method comprises the step of receiving 510 electrical power from an electrical power source. The method further comprises the step of receiving 520 a first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power received from the electrical power source. The method further comprises the step of receiving 530 a second set of data associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power received from the electrical power source. The method further comprises the step of producing 540 hydrogen, H₂, by at least one electrochemical arrangement coupled to the electrical power source, by controlling 550 an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data. The method further comprises the step of storing 560 the produced hydrogen, H₂.
The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the number and/or type of electrochemical arrangements, electrical power sources, storage units, etc., is arbitrary.

Claims

A system (100) for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage, comprising
an electrical power source (110) arranged to provide electrical power,

at least one electrochemical arrangement (120) coupled to the electrical power source, wherein the at least one electrochemical arrangement is arranged to produce hydrogen, H₂,

at least one storage unit (130) coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement, wherein the at least one storage unit is arranged to store the hydrogen, H₂, produced by the at least one electrochemical arrangement,

a control unit (140) coupled to the electrical power source and the at least one electrochemical arrangement, the control unit being configured to
receive a first set of data (150) associated with a first cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source,

receive a second set of data (160) associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and

control an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement, based on the electrical power provided from the electrical power source, by at least one optimization criterion (170) as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data.
The system according to claim 1, wherein an optimization criterion of the at least one optimization criterion is associated with an activation of the at least one ancillary service and a deactivation of the at least one ancillary service, respectively, as a function of the second set of data.
The system according to claim 1 or 2, the control unit being further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement by
selection of at least one electrochemical arrangement of the at least one electrochemical arrangement for operation, and

control of the operation of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement by at least one of
an increase of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement,

a decrease of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement, and

a maintenance of an operational level of the selected at least one electrochemical arrangement.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising
at least one sensor (200) coupled to the at least one electrochemical arrangement and the control unit, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data from the at least one electrochemical arrangement,

wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function the generated sensor data.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of
the first cost comprising an actual cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and

the second cost comprising an actual cost of the at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source,

is fulfilled.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, the control unit being further configured to predict at least one of
a first future cost of electrical power provided from the electrical power source, and

a second future cost of the at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power provided from the electrical power source,

wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of at least one of the predicted first future cost and the predicted second future cost.
The system according to claim 6, the control unit being further configured to predict at least one of the first future cost and the second future cost by at least one machine learning, ML, model.
The system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the first set of data and the second set of data comprises weather data associated with the electrical power source.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is further configured to receive at least one of
a third set of data (300) associated with at least one first constraint associated with the at least one storage unit, and

a fourth set of data (310) associated with at least one second constraint associated with the at least one electrochemical arrangement,
wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of at least one of the third set of data and the fourth set of data.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one ancillary service comprises at least one of
a frequency containment reserve normal, FCR-N, service,

a frequency containment reserve disturbance, FCR-D, service,

an automatic frequency restoration reserve, aFRR, service,

a manual frequency restoration reserve, mFRR, service,

a fast frequency reserve, FFR, service

a replacement reserve, RR, service,

a balancing mechanism, BM, service,

an enhanced frequency response, EFR, service,

a demand side response, DFR, service

a demand turn up, DTU, service,

a firm frequency response, FFR, service,

a fast reserve, FR, service,

a short term operating reserve, STOR, service

a dynamic containment, DC, service, and

a transmission constraint management, TCM, service.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electrochemical arrangement comprises at least one of
an electrolytic cell,

an electrochemical cell, and

a galvanic cell.
The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electrochemical arrangement comprises at least one of
a polymer electrolyte membrane, PEM, electrolyzer,

a solid oxide electrolyzer cell, SOEC, electrolyzer,

an alkaline water electrolysis, AWE, electrolyzer,

an anion exchange membrane, AEM, electrolyzer, and

a pressurized alkaline electrolyzer.
An arrangement for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage, comprising
the system according to any one of the preceding claims, and

an electrical power grid (405) arranged for delivery of electrical power, wherein the electrical power grid comprises the electrical power source.
An industrial system (400), comprising one of
the system according to any one of claims 1-12, and

the arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the industrial system further comprises

at least one electrical power consumption unit (410) coupled to the at least one storage unit, wherein the at least one electrical power consumption unit is configured to consume electrical power converted from hydrogen, H₂, received from the at least one storage unit,

wherein the control unit is further configured to control the operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement as a function of a demand for electrical power at the at least one electrical power consumption unit.
A method (500) for hydrogen, H₂, production and storage, comprising
receiving (510) electrical power from an electrical power source

receiving (520) a first set of data associated with a first cost of electrical power received from the electrical power source,

receiving (530) a second set of data associated with a second cost of at least one ancillary service associated with the electrical power received from the electrical power source,

producing (540) hydrogen, H₂, by at least one electrochemical arrangement coupled to the electrical power source, by controlling (550) an operation of the at least one electrochemical arrangement by at least one optimization criterion as a function of the first set of data and the second set of data, and

storing (560) the produced hydrogen, H₂.