Frequency security-aware production scheduling of utility-scale off-grid renewable P2H systems coordinating heterogeneous electrolyzers

Abstract

Renewable power-to-hydrogen (ReP2H) enables large-scale renewable energy utilization and supports the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, such as chemicals and maritime transport, via hydrogen-based renewable ammonia and methanol fuels. As a result, utility-scale ReP2H projects are expanding worldwide. However, off-grid ReP2H systems exhibit low inertia due to their converter-dominated nature, making frequency security a critical concern. Although recent studies show that electrolyzers can contribute to frequency regulation (FR), their support capability depends on operating states and loading levels, creating a trade-off between hydrogen output and frequency security. To address this challenge, this work develops a unified co-optimization framework for frequency security-aware production scheduling of utility-scale off-grid ReP2H systems coordinating heterogeneous electrolyzers. A system-level frequency response model is established to capture multi-stage FR from alkaline water electrolyzers (AWEs), proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMELs), and other resources, including ammonia-fueled generators retrofitted in co-located chemical plants, battery energy storage, and wind turbines (WTs). Stage-wise transient frequency security constraints are derived, reformulated into tractable forms, and embedded into production scheduling, enabling coordinated on/off switching and load allocation across electrolyzers to maximize hydrogen output under uncertain renewable power input while enforcing frequency security constraints. Case studies based on real-world systems demonstrate that the proposed approach allows hydrogen plants to replace 55.52% and 96.85% of FR reserves from WTs and AFGs, respectively, while improving the system-level net hydrogen yield by substantially reducing ammonia-fuel consumption. Year-long simulations show an average 28.96% increase in annual net profit resulting from reduced reliance on conventional reserves.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Applied Energy, 2026 · DOI ↗