Multi-model assessment of heat decarbonisation options in the UK using renewable hydrogen

Abstract

Achieving the UK’s long-term climate targets will require a coordinated approach to decarbonising both electricity and heat supply, which will require substituting natural gas with low-carbon energy vectors, such as electricity and hydrogen that could be produced from renewable or other forms of zero-carbon energy. The objective of this paper is to use two established energy system models, RTN and WeSIM, to assess plausible heat decarbonisation pathways for the UK, while utilising their respective strengths – a technology-rich representation of hydrogen production, storage and transport options with high spatial granularity for the former, and high temporal resolution and detailed representation of the power system for the latter. The two models are linked through passing optimised capacities of hydrogen production technologies from RTN to WeSIM, and transferring an updated set of electricity prices in the opposite direction. Initial results indicate that model integration can improve the cost-effectiveness of the hydrogen technology mix by reducing the use of inefficient electrolysers during periods of high electricity prices and increasing the capacity and output of more efficient electrolysers, gas reformers and biomass gasification plants.