Green Hydrogen Process Design for Intermittent Renewable Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing large-scale green hydrogen production processes that utilize intermittent renewable energy sources poses challenges due to unpredictable power supply, leading to inefficient operation, high costs, and difficulty in meeting hydrogen demand consistently.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using physics-informed machine learning models and rigorous dynamic process models to generate a surrogate process model, incorporating multi-objective design optimization algorithms, which optimizes electrolyzer and storage device numbers and types, and considers site location to minimize levelized cost of hydrogen production while ensuring stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If intermittent renewable energy sources are used for hydrogen production, then sustainability and environmental benefits are improved, but power supply stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by using power storage devices to store excess renewable energy when generation is high, and then releases stored energy when generation is low, ensuring continuous and stable hydrogen production without interruption from intermittent power supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Power storage devices act as an intermediary between intermittent renewable energy sources and the hydrogen production process, buffering the variability of renewable power and providing stable electrical input to electrolyzers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the number of electrolyzers is increased to meet hydrogen demand, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production capacityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic operation by continuously adjusting the number and operating status of electrolyzers based on real-time power availability from renewable sources and hydrogen demand requirements, optimizing productivity while managing complexity through adaptive control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization model changes key parameters including electrolyzer capacity, power storage device capacity, and their operational configurations to find the optimal balance between hydrogen production capacity and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If more power storage devices are added to mitigate intermittent power supply, then power supply stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by determining the optimal (minimal sufficient) number of power storage devices required to stabilize power supply for hydrogen production, avoiding excessive investment while achieving reliability goals through optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Use of energy by moving object

If site location is optimized for renewable energy availability, then energy input quality is improved, but adaptability to different conditions becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy availabilityVSAvoidsite selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system addresses site selection by adding multiple dimensions of analysis including renewable energy resources, hydrogen demand proximity, infrastructure availability, and environmental constraints, finding optimal locations that balance energy availability with operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and cost-effective design of green hydrogen production processes that meet demand with minimal levelized cost of hydrogen, accounting for intermittent renewable energy sources and site-specific conditions, thereby reducing overall operational costs and improving stability.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more target assets comprise one or more electrolyzers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20260064920A1Apparatuses, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for optimal conceptual design for a process

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optimal conceptual design framework. A surrogate process model may be generated based on one or more physics-informed machine learning models and a rigorous dynamic process model. The surrogate process model may comprise a representation of a plant process including one or more target assets and one or more secondary assets. The process input for the one or more target assets may comprise power output from a renewable energy source. A design optimization algorithm representative of a multi-objective design optimization problem may be generated. An optimal conceptual design for the process may be generated by executing an optimization model based on the surrogate process model and the design optimization algorithm.