Maximizing Hydropower Revenue with Hydrogen Integration
Key Ideas
- Idaho Power, INL, and PNNL collaborated to study integrating hydrogen production with hydropower plants to boost revenue and address low demand challenges.
- Hydrogen integration could enable hydropower plants to operate at maximum capacity even during periods of low demand, enhancing grid stability and flexibility.
- The project funded by the DOE's Water Power Technology Office explores how hydrogen production can increase revenue, improve downstream water quality, and offer new sources of revenue for Idaho Power.
Idaho Power, in partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has conducted a study on integrating hydrogen production with hydropower plants to enhance revenue and address challenges posed by low demand periods. The project, funded by the Department of Energy's Water Power Technology Office, aims to maximize the benefits of hydrogen integration. Run-of-river and impoundment hydropower plants were analyzed for potential integration with hydrogen production, offering a solution to fluctuating power output and reduced profitability during low demand seasons.
The study highlighted the potential of hydrogen production to keep hydropower plants operating at near-maximum capacity even when demand is low. By producing hydrogen during these periods, operators can store and sell the clean hydrogen for power generation or other markets with more consistent pricing. Additionally, hydrogen integration could enhance grid stability and flexibility, providing more support to the grid and increasing revenue for Idaho Power.
One of the key benefits of hydrogen integration is the production of oxygen as a byproduct, which can be added to downstream water to improve water quality at a potentially lower cost than traditional methods. This innovative approach not only offers financial benefits but also environmental advantages by addressing challenges related to oxygen levels downstream from dams.
The project utilized advanced modeling and analytical methods to explore various deployment scenarios, system configurations, and applications for hydrogen use. By creating a hydrogen roadmap, the research team connected data and information to provide valuable insights for Idaho Power's future strategies. Overall, the integration of hydrogen with hydropower plants presents a promising opportunity to increase revenue, improve power production, and contribute to the sustainability of energy systems.