Multi-agent based modeling for investigating excess heat utilization from electrolyzer production to district heating network

TL;DR

This paper develops an agent-based model to evaluate business strategies for utilizing excess heat from electrolyzers in district heating, demonstrating cost reductions and environmental impacts of different heat sale models.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multi-criteria decision-making framework for optimizing excess heat utilization from electrolyzers in renewable energy systems.

Findings

Selling excess heat reduces hydrogen production costs by 5.6%.

Flexible operation with electricity spot prices is optimal.

Using renewable sources and heat sales minimizes CO2 emissions.

Abstract

Power-to-Hydrogen is crucial for the renewable energy transition, yet existing literature lacks business models for the significant excess heat it generates. This study addresses this by evaluating three models for selling electrolyzer-generated heat to district heating grids: constant, flexible, and renewable-source hydrogen production, with and without heat sales. Using agent-based modeling and multi-criteria decision-making methods (VIKOR, TOPSIS, PROMETHEE), it finds that selling excess heat can cut hydrogen production costs by 5.6%. The optimal model operates flexibly with electricity spot prices, includes heat sales, and maintains a hydrogen price of 3.3 EUR/kg. Environmentally, hydrogen production from grid electricity could emit up to 13,783.8 tons of CO2 over four years from 2023. The best economic and environmental model uses renewable sources and sells heat at 3.5 EUR/kg