H2Heat Positioning in terms of R&I Maturity and Technology Readiness Level – Part 2

• October 12, 2023

INNOVATIVE H2-CHP/ HEAT PUMP COMBINED SYSTEM

H2HEAT is leading the way in reducing emissions in industrial heat supply, where low-temperature heat (<100 °C) is in high demand.

Heat pumps are well suited to reducing emissions in the supply of low temperature (<100 °C) heat, which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), is the largest source of industrial heat demand today. A heat pump might typically have a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3-5 (or higher depending on the application), i.e. it can transfer 500 % more energy than it consumes. A high efficiency gas boiler might achieve a maximum of 95%. Therefore, the use of heat pumps instead of boilers is highly efficient and can contribute substantially to the carbon footprint reduction.  Currently, most heat pumps in commercial systems are powered by conventional energy.

The H2HEAT concept is to combine the H2-CHP with the heat pump. Partner 2G will complete this integration and include it as part of their product roadmap. This has multiple benefits to CHUIMI hospital. Firstly, the direct use of the energy produced by the CHP from H2 will make the heat generated 100% green. Secondly, it avoids the necessity for CHUIMI of having to integrate the H2-CHP into its electrical system, saving costs. Thirdly, the high COP of the heat pump combined with the H2-CHP heat output will come close to supplying all of CHUIMI heat requirement.

SOPHISTICATED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR H2 PRODUCTION, AND DIGITAL SIMULATIONS FOR PLANNING AND TESTING

Hybrid combinations of RE for H2 production are relatively nascent and certainly have not been trialled extensively in a real environment. Therefore the EMS and DSM required to cater electrically for such a complex mix is still relatively new. BIG HIT used  a combination of wind and tidal RE. However, at peak it only produced 50t p.a H2. Likewise, digital simulation systems for planning and testing multiple RE combinations for H2 production are at development stage.

H2HEAT partner will develop a highly innovative smart digital system that will be capable of managing combined  non-correlated multiple RE types and integrate with the H2 production via a sophisticated control system incorporating  smart EMS, DSM and SCADA. 

While H2HEAT will use OSW only, the control system will be future proofed to the PLOCAN vison for its research center of multiple RE sources and types.

There are increasing numbers of H2 projects using electrolysers for conversion of RE. However, there are only a limited number based on islands. Surf ‘n’ Turf, the predecessor of BIG HIT encountered corrosion on the electrolyser due to the prevailing conditions on the Orkney Islands. 

The  Oyster project will investigate the feasibility of combining an OSW turbine directly with an electrolyser and transporting renewable hydrogen to shore. However, it is a scale trial only with no commercial end consumer, not post project continuity.

H2HEAT will locate the H2 production facility  in the PLOCAN nearshore site. The choice of the onshore over the marine based RE equipment (Oyster) is to reduce maintenance cost  and increase efficiency in operations, particularly for multiple RE sources. The H2HEAT electrolysis system that will be installed will have to operate efficiently under occasionally difficult nearshore conditions while requiring minimal maintenance and still meet performance targets.

Learning from such EU island projects as BIG HIT, H2HEAT will investigate:

• improved coating protection systems used on equipment e.g. from the Oil and Gas industry (NORSOK M501, C5), 
• anti-corrosion material such as Xylan®.
• materials of construction  e.g. Stainless steel minimum grade 316
• galvanic isolation use when considering dissimilar materials of construction if appropriate