Modelling and operation of a hydrogen microgrid with 700 kW electrolyser

August 31st, 2024

R&D Focus Areas:
Electricity, Energy systems integration

Lead Organisation:
Griffith University

Partners:
University of Tasmania, Optimal Group Australia, pitt&sherry, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Hydro Tasmania

Status:
Active

Start date:
March 2024

Completion date:
January 2027

Key contacts:
Professor Evan Gray – e.gray@griffith.edu.au

Funding:
Blue Economy CRC

Project summary description:
This project supports and provides a research context for the Blue Economy CRC demonstration project now underway to build a DC hydrogen microgrid in Hobart, based on a 700-kW electrolyser and incorporating photovoltaics, a battery, hydrogen storage and a hydrogen turbine to generate electricity, as well as offtake for fuel-cell buses.

The research will focus first on modelling the components of the microgrid and the entire energy system. Then the system model and physical microgrid will be employed to emulate operating scenarios relevant to industries in the Blue-Economy Zone, to explore approaches to managing energy flows within the microgrid under realistic conditions of variable energy input from solar and simulated wind, wave etc. while satisfying the demand profile of a chosen industry-relevant energy system.

August 2024