RHEIA: Robust design optimization of renewable Hydrogenand dErIved energy cArrier systems

Abstract

Climate change is a constant call for the massive deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. However, to cover the energy demand at all times, these sources require energy storage over more extended periods. In this framework, renewable energy storage in the form of hydrogen is gaining ground on leading the transition of today's economy towards decarbonization. Among others, hydrogen can be integrated into multiple energy sectors: hydrogen can be converted back into electricity (power-to-power), it can be used to produce low-carbon fuels (power-to-fuel), and it can be used to fuel hydrogen vehicles (power-tomobility). The performance of these hydrogen-based energy systems is subject to uncertainties, such as the uncertainty on the solar irradiance, the energy consumption of hydrogen-powered buses, and the price of grid electricity. Disregarding these uncertainties in the design process can result in a drastic mismatch between simulated and real-world performance, and thus lead to a kill-by-randomness of the system. The Robust design optimization of renewable Hydrogen and dErIved energy cArrier systems (RHEIA) framework provides a robust design optimization pipeline that considers real-world uncertainties and yields robust designs, i.e., designs with a performance less sensitive to these uncertainties. Moreover, RHEIA includes models to evaluate hydrogen's techno-economic and environmental performance in a power-tofuel, power-to-power, and power-to-mobility context. When combined, RHEIA unlocks the robust designs for hydrogen-based energy systems. As RHEIA considers the system models as a black box, the framework can be applied to existing open-source and closed-source models. To illustrate, an interface with the EnergyPLAN software is included in the framework.