Power Hub Grindsted – Local Grid Balancing through Electrolysis Purification

Challenge

There is an expectation and ambition for Denmark and the rest of Europe to transition to green electricity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end dependence on Russian gas. Denmark's goal is to quadruple production from onshore wind turbines and solar panels. This will put pressure on the power grid at all levels, requiring grid expansions and a new approach to electricity consumption.

In parallel with the challenges of grid balancing, Denmark is also facing several legacy pollution issues, similar to those found worldwide. Developing and enabling purification through electrolysis could potentially contribute to balancing and stabilizing the power grid.

Solution

One way to ensure grid balancing is to align local electricity supply and demand. However, with a focus on onshore wind and solar energy, this premise will be challenged due to significant variations in electricity production over the day and year. To avoid dedicating all resources to grid expansion, it is essential to explore how local solutions can act as a buffer or balancing mechanism for the power grid, for example, on a summer day when the sun is shining, and the wind is blowing.

Expected Outcome/Impact

• How much renewable energy production is required in a local area to ensure grid balancing through electrolysis purification?
• How can electrolysis as a purification method be used to balance the local power grid, and to what extent can the electrolysis process be adjusted up or down?
• How can waste streams, such as heat and potential hydrogen production, be utilized as byproducts of electrolysis purification?
• When water is already being processed in the purification system, how can it be delivered and integrated into a Power-to-X facility?
• How can intelligent tools ensure grid balancing and enable cost-optimal operation and production in sector-coupled facilities?
• What are the options for electricity storage, and how can the various interdependent symbiotic flows in the process be managed effectively?