(82b) A Simulation Based Digital Twin for Clean Hydrogen Conceptual Design

Hydrogen production by electrolysis using renewable energy sources is projected to play a key role in the energy transition and the move away from fossil fuels. The clean hydrogen produced can have multiple uses including production of ammonia. Developers of clean hydrogen and ammonia production projects often need to do a technical and economic analysis at the conceptual design stage to evaluate different designs given CAPEX, OPEX, efficiency and energy source considerations.

A digital twin based on dynamic process and energy simulation is a powerful tool that can aid in this initial conceptual analysis. The simulation can then be used throughout the design process to regularly confirm key aspects of the design. Typical objectives for a simulation-based study include:

• Confirm equipment sizing and configuration during input power variations from renewable energy
• Confirm electrical equipment design and transmission, transformer, and collector efficiency
• Evaluate impact of electrolyzer type, compression capacity, and plant configuration on process performance
• Develop electrolyzer and compressor operating strategies to maximize efficiency of the plant
• Run scenarios to analyze plant performance over a variety of operating modes and historical power inputs
• Finalize terms of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) using results from the scenarios
• Calculate Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and Levelized Cost of Ammonia (LCOA)
• Determine battery and storage tank sizing (if needed) to meet minimum turndown of ammonia process and Air Separation Unit

This presentation will focus on use cases and benefits of using simulation during the conceptual design phase of a clean hydrogen project.