Hydrogen Production from Hydropower: Idaho Teams Up with INL and PNNL
Here’s an article posted in Azo Clean Tech.
According to the article,
- Idaho Power, Idaho National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are collaborating to assess the feasibility and benefits of producing hydrogen at existing hydropower plants.
- INL researchers will employ the Hydrogen Analysis (H2A) software tool to evaluate various hydrogen production and usage applications.
- PNNL researchers will use the screening study data to model and optimize the hydrogen production system.
The integration of hydrogen production with hydropower presents a promising avenue for enhancing grid stability, promoting environmental sustainability, and aiding in decarbonization efforts. Let’s delve into the process and its benefits with specific data points and informative facts:
- Hydropower Production and Variability:
- Hydropower is a renewable energy source that provides relatively consistent power output compared to other renewables like wind and solar.
- Idaho Power operates 17 hydroelectric power plants, contributing significantly to the state’s renewable energy capacity.
- Challenges of Variable Power Output:
- Most renewable energy sources face the challenge of variable power output, which can lead to grid instability, especially during peak electricity usage hours.
- Integrating hydrogen production with hydropower can address this issue by providing flexibility and balancing the intermittency of wind and solar generation.
- Hydrogen Production from Excess Electricity:
- Excess electricity generated by hydropower during off-peak hours can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis.
- Electrolysis involves splitting water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using electricity.
- This hydrogen can be stored and later converted back into electricity through fuel cells or combustion when needed, effectively serving as a form of energy storage.
- Benefits of Hydrogen Storage:
- Storing hydrogen as a fuel provides a means to stabilize the grid by ensuring a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-fuel backup power generation.
- Hydrogen storage enhances grid flexibility, enabling operators to meet peak energy demands efficiently without relying solely on nonrenewable power sources.
- Environmental Advantages:
- Excess oxygen generated during electrolysis can be utilized to improve water quality in rivers, particularly those affected by low dissolved oxygen levels.
- Reoxygenating water in rivers can benefit aquatic ecosystems, supporting fish and other aquatic life.
- Research and Development Efforts:
- The collaboration between Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Idaho Power aims to evaluate the economic and environmental implications of integrating hydrogen production with hydropower.
- Advanced modeling and optimization techniques are employed to assess deployment scenarios and maximize the benefits of this integration.
- Tools like the Hydrogen Analysis (H2A) software and the Hydrogen Energy Storage Evaluation Tool are utilized for techno-economic evaluation and system optimization.
Our specialty focus areas include 
