Industrial Electrification: Role of Power to Hydrogen in Deep Decarbonization and Flexibility Provisions

Renewable Energy (RE) is driving power systems towards much anticipated decarbonization, concurrently increasing power system flexibility requirements. This will be more exacerbated following the retiring of the conventional flexibility sources. Also, decarbonization of electricity sector has paved way for decoking other sectors like industries, buildings and transport using direct and indirect electrification. This will change the entire demand scenarios leading to operational challenges; however, the new demand can act as sources of demand flexibility. This electrification motivates for Sector coupling (SC) i.e., coupling the two sectors for mutual benefits and the system as a whole. Electrification of transportation and building sectors is in progress already, however the energy & emission intensive industries are largely ignored regarding electrification possibilities. Certain industries like ammonia, refineries, aluminum and steel have larger hydrogen demands presently employing conventional fuels and possess huge potential to switch to green fuels using Power to Hydrogen (P2H) technologies. These SC units can act as flexible loads for power systems and gas source for industries providing multi functionality within different sectors. In this respect this paper attempts to review future renewable rich power systems and discusses Sector Coupling, role of P2H, Electrification and flexibility provisions in industries, applications, scope, developments and challenges in Indian scenario.