The integration of residential photovoltaic systems generates substantial technical and economic challenges due to the temporal mismatch between solar production and household electricity consumption. During peak generation periods, surplus energy often flows back to the grid or remains unused, creating inefficiencies in distributed energy networks. This research examines hydrogen as a storage and conversion medium to capture and utilize these renewable surpluses across diverse European energy markets.
The study employs a coupled simulation framework linking realistic residential electrical and thermal load profiles with multi-energy system models. Two hydrogen utilization pathways were analyzed: power-to-power systems converting hydrogen back to electricity and heat for on-site use, and power-to-gas systems producing hydrogen for export to regional grids or industrial applications. The researchers evaluated performance across multiple metrics—energy efficiency, lifecycle cost, and greenhouse gas emissions—across electricity mixes representing France, Germany, Poland, and other European nations.
Key findings reveal substantial geographic variation in system competitiveness. Power-to-power configurations demonstrated favorable emission reductions relative to most European grid mixes, yet proved economically inferior to purchasing directly from established grids, particularly in France's low-carbon electricity system. Conversely, power-to-gas applications, while uneconomical without policy support, consistently delivered significant lifecycle emission benefits. The advantage proves most pronounced in carbon-intensive sectors including transportation and heavy industry, where hydrogen serves as a direct substitute for fossil fuels.
The research highlights the critical importance of regional energy context in technology deployment decisions. Systems optimized for one national grid may underperform in another due to baseline carbon intensity and electricity pricing structures. While near-term commercialization faces economic barriers, the results suggest policy mechanisms supporting hydrogen production could unlock substantial decarbonization pathways, particularly if hydrogen demand expands in transport and industrial heating applications across Europe.
