Facilitating Water electrolysers for electricity-grid services in Europe through establishing standardized testing protocols

Abstract

Electrolysers, which convert electricity into hydrogen, have the potential to offer a variety of electrical-grid services, therefore facilitating the integration of intermittent renewables into electrical grids. Among various activities that aim to unlock this hidden value, the 3-year European Union project QualyGridS launched in 2017 aims to establish standardized testing protocols for electrolysers to perform electricity-grid services. This paper shares experience and intermediate results of QualyGridS with respect to the testing protocols, test benches and testing results. The results of this work facilitate mutual understanding between the electricity industry and the hydrogen industry, support further development of the cross-sector testing standards, guide the design and selection of grid-service-oriented electrolyser applications and foster the transition towards a fossil-free-energy future based on high shares of hydrogen and other renewable solutions.