Photovoltaic Energy Generation in Hungary: Potentials of Green Hydrogen Production by PEM Technology

First Steps towards the Deployment of the Power-to-gas Technology

Abstract

The dynamic spread of photovoltaic power plants in the global energy industry facilitates cost-effective and clean electricity generation. However, the intermittent nature of solar energy poses an increasing challenge from a system management point of view due to the fast-growing capacities. As a consequence, energy storage systems are increasingly important in this area, as they allow the efficient and flexible storage of excess electricity generated in the electricity system. Among various energy storage systems, the power-to-gas technology is becoming more and more important in the integration of weather-dependent renewable energy sources, as it can now provide an effective solution for increasing grid stability and scheduling efficiency, as well as enabling wide variety of application possibilities in the economy, for example in transport, industry or heating systems. The aim of the present research was to determine the potential amount of green hydrogen that can be produced by using the proton-exchange membrane technology, taking into account the climatic conditions in Hungary and the energy production potentials of photovoltaic power plants of given capacities. This is not only novel but also of practical use, as it provides important information about the integration of photovoltaic power plants and the power-to-gas technology to the actors of energy systems and the energy market and the decision-makers concerned. In addition to the vital economic aspects of the research, supporting the decisions of potential investors, it also contains important insights for market-related technological developments.