California Energy Transition Through End-Use Electrification and Hydrogen Energy Storage

Widespread electrification, i.e., switching direct fossil fuel end-uses to electricity, coupled with renewable power use is essential to achieve aggressive greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emission reduction targets. Few have investigated the requisite electric grid infrastructure transformation and technology path coupled with spatial and temporal resolution of criteria pollutant emissions for assessing air quality impacts. In this study, we analyze grid and emission impacts of electrifying end-use sectors while decarbonizing power generation, using detailed modeling of infrastructure stocks and economic dispatch of the electric utility grid network. Results show that decarbonizing power supply by 50% without electrifying end-use sectors can reduce total California greenhouse gas emissions by only 2%, percent while partial electrification of end-use sectors alongside decarbonizing electricity generation by 50% yields up to 20.3 percent greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to 1990 levels. Spatially and temporally resolved criteria pollutant emissions portend certain scenarios that improve air quality more than others, requiring consideration of spatial and temporal emission perturbations dictated by specific electrification end-uses and power generation technology dynamics for meeting the increased electric demand. Combustion of fossil fuels for power generation, transportation, and other end-uses have resulted in significant air quality issues in urban areas. Solving this problem as well as climate change requires a holistic approach combining improved energy efficiency, cleaner power generation and electrification of fossil fuel end uses. However, the impact of this energy transition on local air quality has not been studied in detail. In this dissertation, we analyze the emissions and air quality impacts of electrifying end-use sectors while decarbonizing power generation, using detailed modeling of infrastructure stocks and economic dispatch of the electric grid. A set of scenarios are developed to study the impacts of electrification where each end-use sector is electrified based upon the electrification potential and feasibility of implementation using the available electric technologies. In order to accommodate higher statewide electricity demand due to electrification, the electricity generation sector is decarbonized through installing higher levels of renewable power. As electrifying energy end-uses affect the magnitude and temporal distribution of electric demand, we evaluate the amount of renewable energies that must be curtailed and quantify its implications for the load- balancing of electric grid system. High curtailment of renewable power under certain scenarios suggests the necessity for substantial energy storage to balance the grid dynamics and enable integration of higher levels of renewable power. Storing the excess renewable energy in form of hydrogen is a promising solution, which not only provides temporal electric grid balancing in matters of weeks to months, but also allows decarbonizing the transport sector. In the final chapter, we present a detailed control-oriented model for a PEM electrolyzer to characterize the dynamic response of the electrolysis platform in the time scale of minutes or seconds, which will enable us to investigate new control strategies for different grid services. The model is capable of characterizing PEM electrolyzer and essential for determining control strategy that will ensure efficient and reliable operation of the electrolyzer. Besides, the PEM electrolyzer dynamic model can be employed in the optimization of sustainable energy systems