Power Converter Topologies for Electrolyzer Applications to Enable Electric Grid Services

TL;DR

This paper explores power converter topologies and control schemes for electrolyzer systems, enabling them to provide grid services and integrate renewable energy by controlling active and reactive power.

Contribution

It introduces specific power converter topologies and control strategies tailored for electrolyzer applications to facilitate grid services and renewable integration.

Findings

Proposes power converter configurations suitable for electrolyzer grid interfacing.

Demonstrates control schemes for active and reactive power management.

Supports electrolyzer operation as a flexible, grid-supporting load.

Abstract

Hydrogen electrolyzers, with their operational flexibility, can be configured as smart dynamic loads which can provide grid services and facilitate the integration of more renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. However, to enable this ability, the electrolyzer system should be able to control both active and reactive power in coordination with the low-level controller of the electrolyzer via the power electronics system interface between the utility grid and electrolyzer. This paper discusses power converter topologies and the control scheme of this power electronics interface for electrolyzer applications to enable electricity grid services. For the sake of unity, in this paper, we consider the power converter system interfacing the utility grid at the line-to-line root mean square RMS value of 480 VAC 60 Hz and supplying to the 3500 A 750 kW PEM electrolyzer stack.