Integrated electrolyzer and heat pump solution

Whenever enough renewable energy is available, it can be used to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen can be easily stored for times when there is a shortage of renewable energy. At the same time, the heat pump uses the waste heat from the electrolyzer to produce heat at temperatures suitable for district heating. In times of renewable energy surplus, thermal power plants can be shut down because they are not needed for electricity or heat production. When heat production is higher than heat demand, the excess heat from the heat pump can be stored in thermal storage facilities.

During periods of renewable energy shortage and high energy prices, the hydrogen can be fired in a thermal plant (e.g., a hydrogen-ready gas turbine cogeneration plant) to produce electricity and heat. The heat from the thermal storage covers periods of high heat demand but low electricity demand. The integration of renewable energy in heat production helps to decarbonize district heating. The integrated electrolyzer and heat pump solution lowers the levelized cost of energy for both hydrogen production and heat production for district heating by minimizing energy losses.

Electrolyzer provides an efficiency of about 75%. An integrated electrolyzer and heat pump solution increases energy utilization. This calculation is based on a solution with hydrogen production of 1005 kg/h at 80 barg with a heat pump for district heating as mentioned in the table below. Please follow the power flows of the process in the diagram. The energy utilization is increased up to 96% and more.