Going offshore or not: Where to generate hydrogen in future integrated
energy systems?
Abstract
Hydrogen can be key in the energy system transition. We investigate the
role of offshore hydrogen generation in a future integrated energy
system, and its interaction with other system elements. By performing
energy system optimisation in a model application of the
Northern-central European energy system and the North Sea offshore grid
towards 2050, we find that offshore hydrogen generation may likely only
play a limited role, and that offshore wind energy has higher value when
sent to shore in the form of electricity. Forcing all hydrogen
generation offshore would lead to increased energy system costs (9-28
b\EUR2016/year by 2045). Under the assumed scenario
conditions, hydrogen generation - both onshore and offshore - follows
solar PV generation patterns. Combined with hydrogen storage, this is
the most cost-effective solution to satisfy future hydrogen demand.
Overall, we find that the role of future offshore hydrogen generation
should not simply be derived from minimizing costs for the offshore
sub-system, but by also considering the value that such generation would
create for the whole integrated energy system. Based on our results, a
stronger political effort to promote the integration of offshore wind in
onshore energy markets via electrical connection is called for.