Integrated renewable energy supply architecture for advancing hydrogen symbiosis and eco synergistic smart grid interactions with next generation combustion technologies – Nature

 

Executive Summary: The Smart Grid Hybrid Electrolysis-and-Combustion System (SGHE-CS)

This report details the Smart Grid Hybrid Electrolysis-and-Combustion System (SGHE-CS), an innovative energy solution designed to advance key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By seamlessly integrating hydrogen production, storage, and utilization within smart grid operations, the SGHE-CS directly contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The system maximizes the use of renewable energy, enhances grid stability, and provides a pathway to a low-carbon energy infrastructure. Real-time monitoring and adaptive control strategies ensure high reliability and resilience.

Key Performance Metrics and SDG Contributions

• Hydrogen Production Efficiency (98.5%): Demonstrates highly effective conversion of renewable electricity into green hydrogen via PEM electrolysis, supporting the clean energy targets of SDG 7.
• Combustion Efficiency (98.1%): Reflects the successful conversion of hydrogen into usable power with minimal waste through advanced staged combustion, a critical factor for SDG 13 by reducing emissions.
• Storage and Transportation Efficiency (96.3%): Indicates minimal energy loss during hydrogen compression, storage, and delivery, essential for creating the resilient and reliable infrastructure promoted by SDG 9.
• Renewable Integration Efficiency (97.3%): Represents the system’s superior capacity to utilize variable renewable energy without curtailment, directly advancing SDG 7 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Operational Versatility (99.3%): Denotes the system’s ability to maintain high performance across diverse load demands, making it a viable technology for the sustainable cities envisioned in SDG 11.

1. Introduction: Aligning Energy Innovation with Sustainable Development Goals

The global transition towards a sustainable and resilient energy future is intrinsically linked to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Integrating smart grid technologies with hydrogen systems presents a powerful strategy to advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by maximizing the use of intermittent renewable sources and enhancing grid stability. This synergy is fundamental to building the sustainable infrastructure required by SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, by drastically lowering carbon emissions through advanced combustion techniques, this approach directly addresses the urgent call for SDG 13 (Climate Action). The development of decentralized and renewable energy systems, balanced by smart hydrogen integration, reduces fossil fuel dependency and fosters the economic development and innovation central to the 2030 Agenda. This report introduces the Smart Grid Hybrid Electrolysis-and-Combustion System (SGHE-CS) as a holistic solution designed to overcome the challenges of renewable energy integration and unlock the full potential of hydrogen as a cornerstone of a sustainable energy economy.

Research Objectives

1. To design and validate a system that coordinates hydrogen production with dynamic energy demand, thereby improving grid stability and building a resilient energy infrastructure in line with SDG 9.
2. To enhance the integration of renewable energy sources by using the SGHE-CS to synchronize hydrogen production with variable energy supply, directly supporting the targets of SDG 7 and SDG 12.
3. To improve hydrogen combustion efficiency and minimize emissions through staged combustion and advanced catalysts, contributing significantly to SDG 13 and the development of a low-carbon energy future.

2. Literature Review: Contextualizing Research within SDG Frameworks

Previous research has explored various facets of smart cities, thermal energy storage, and materials science, laying the groundwork for integrated energy systems. Studies on smart cities emphasize human-centric frameworks, aligning with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Research into thermal energy storage materials (TESMs) and advanced nuclear paradigms contributes to the knowledge base for SDG 7, though often with deployment barriers. Machine learning applications in materials design show promise for accelerating innovation, a key aspect of SDG 9. Investigations into electrolyzer efficiency curves have quantified the impact of variability on hydrogen production, highlighting a critical challenge for integrating renewables. While these studies provide valuable insights, they often focus on individual components rather than a holistic, integrated system optimized for dynamic smart grid interaction. The SGHE-CS builds upon this existing work by integrating PEM electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and advanced combustion into a single, AI-orchestrated platform. Its innovative multi-objective control layer, which dynamically balances energy production, storage, and dispatch, represents a significant advancement toward achieving the interconnected goals of SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, and SDG 13 in a comprehensive manner.

3. Proposed Methodology: The SGHE-CS Framework for Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

3.1. System Overview and Contribution to SDG 7 and SDG 13

The SGHE-CS is designed to maximize the utilization of hydrogen within a smart grid framework, creating a sustainable energy ecosystem. The system leverages real-time smart grid data to forecast power consumption and renewable energy generation. During periods of surplus renewable energy, the system dynamically activates electrolysis units to produce green hydrogen, thus minimizing energy curtailment and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. This process is central to achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The stored hydrogen can then be used in advanced combustion systems during periods of high demand or low renewable output. By optimizing combustion with staged techniques and improved catalysts, the SGHE-CS ensures high efficiency and minimal emissions, directly supporting the goals of SDG 13 (Climate Action). The system also provides ancillary services such as frequency control and voltage support, enhancing overall grid reliability.

3.2. Framework for Integrated Renewable Energy Supply (EcoSynergy)

The EcoSynergy framework illustrates the integrated workflow of the SGHE-CS, which is crucial for building the resilient infrastructure detailed in SDG 9. The process begins with an input module that gathers system parameters and energy data. This information flows to the hydrogen synthesis module, where clean energy is converted into hydrogen. The subsequent smart infrastructure integration module ensures that this hydrogen energy is seamlessly incorporated into the power grid. This step is vital for managing the intermittency of renewables and ensuring a stable power supply, a key tenet of SDG 11. The combustion optimization module focuses on maximizing energy extraction while minimizing environmental impact, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Continuous monitoring, simulation, and validation ensure optimal performance and reliability, making the entire system a robust and scalable solution for a sustainable energy future.

3.3. Integrated Residential Energy System and Support for SDG 11

The SGHE-CS can be scaled for residential applications, creating a model for the sustainable communities envisioned in SDG 11. In this configuration, a Power-to-Gas (PtG) system, powered by rooftop solar and small-scale wind turbines, generates hydrogen from excess renewable energy. This hydrogen is stored and used to power hydrogen-fired turbines or fuel cells to meet electrical and thermal loads when renewable generation is insufficient. This integrated system reduces household reliance on the external grid, guarantees a continuous and sustainable power supply, and demonstrates a viable path toward energy-independent, low-carbon homes. Such decentralized systems enhance community resilience and contribute to cleaner urban environments.

3.4. Solar-Wind Hybrid System for Green Hydrogen Production

To ensure a stable, year-round supply of green hydrogen for large-scale applications, the SGHE-CS can be coupled with a solar-wind hybrid system. This configuration leverages the complementary nature of solar and wind power to provide a more consistent energy input for water electrolysis. By integrating with the power grid, the system can absorb excess renewable power, further optimizing resource use and providing supplemental energy to the electrolyzers when needed. This approach directly addresses the core objective of SDG 7 by making clean energy more reliable and accessible, thereby facilitating the transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

4. Results and Discussion: Performance Analysis and SDG Impact Assessment

The performance of the SGHE-CS was evaluated against conventional technologies (CT) using data from a 0.7 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant. The results demonstrate the system’s superior efficiency and its significant potential to contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

4.1. Hydrogen Production Efficiency

The SGHE-CS achieved a hydrogen production efficiency of 98.5%, compared to 90.5% for CT. This high efficiency in converting renewable electricity to hydrogen is fundamental to SDG 7, as it minimizes energy waste and makes green hydrogen a more economically viable clean fuel. The slight degradation over time, attributed to factors like catalyst wear, highlights the need for ongoing innovation in materials science to maintain peak performance and further support sustainable infrastructure under SDG 9.

4.2. Storage and Transportation Efficiency

With a storage and transportation efficiency of 96.3% (versus 89.1% for CT), the SGHE-CS demonstrates its capability to create a reliable and flexible energy supply chain. Efficiently storing hydrogen produced from surplus renewables and transporting it for later use is critical for balancing the grid and building the resilient infrastructure required by SDG 9. This efficiency ensures that clean energy is available when and where it is needed, supporting the development of sustainable communities (SDG 11).

4.3. Integration with Renewable Energy Sources

The system’s ability to integrate with renewable energy sources reached an efficiency of 97.3%, significantly higher than the 92.3% for CT. This metric is a direct measure of the system’s contribution to SDG 7 and SDG 12. By effectively utilizing intermittent solar and wind power that might otherwise be curtailed, the SGHE-CS maximizes the value of renewable assets and promotes responsible production and consumption patterns, which is essential for climate action.

4.4. Combustion Efficiency

A combustion efficiency of 98.1% (compared to 92.4% for CT) underscores the system’s contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action). By maximizing the energy extracted from hydrogen while producing minimal to zero harmful emissions, the SGHE-CS provides a clean and efficient method for power generation. This high efficiency is crucial for replacing fossil-fuel-based power plants and advancing the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

4.5. Operational Versatility

The SGHE-CS demonstrated an exceptional versatility of 99.3%, far exceeding the 90.5% of CT. This adaptability across various load demands and operating conditions confirms its robustness as a flexible energy solution. This versatility is key to its application in diverse sectors, from industrial processes to residential power, enabling the development of the adaptable and innovative infrastructure central to SDG 9 and the resilient, smart cities of SDG 11.

5. Conclusion: Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The investigation of the Smart Grid Hybrid Electrolysis-and-Combustion System (SGHE-CS) confirms its potential as a transformative technology for achieving a sustainable, low-carbon energy future. By holistically integrating hydrogen production, storage, and combustion with smart grid dynamics, the SGHE-CS provides a powerful tool for advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. The experimental results, showing superior performance with 98.5% hydrogen production efficiency, 98.1% combustion efficiency, 97.3% renewable integration, and 99.3% versatility, validate the system’s effectiveness. This research illuminates the revolutionary potential of smart grid technology to create a more adaptive and greener energy landscape. Ultimately, the SGHE-CS offers a viable and efficient pathway to address the interconnected challenges of energy, infrastructure, and climate, making a substantial contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Smart Grid Hybrid Electrolysis-and-Combustion System (SGHE-CS) addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on innovative energy solutions that promote sustainability, efficiency, and environmental protection. The following SDGs are relevant:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The core of the article is about creating a system for clean energy. It focuses on producing green hydrogen from renewable sources (solar, wind), ensuring energy is used efficiently, and integrating it into a modern, reliable energy grid. This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article introduces an innovative technological solution (SGHE-CS) and proposes the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure. By focusing on smart grids, advanced electrolysis, and efficient combustion, it promotes upgrading industrial processes and infrastructure with clean and environmentally sound technologies.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The technology described can be applied at a community or residential scale, as mentioned in the section “Integrated energy system for residence using hydrogen.” By providing a low-carbon energy solution, the system helps reduce the environmental impact of cities and communities, contributing to making them more sustainable and resilient.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The primary motivation for developing the SGHE-CS is to create a “sustainable, low-carbon energy infrastructure” and “drastically lower carbon emissions.” By maximizing the use of renewable energy and improving combustion efficiency, the system is a direct technological response to mitigate climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The article directly addresses this by designing a system to “maximize renewable energy use” and integrate variable sources like solar and wind power with an efficiency of 97.3%.
   • Target 7.3: “By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.” The SGHE-CS is built around high efficiency. The article explicitly states high efficiency rates for hydrogen production (98.5%), combustion (98.1%), and storage/transportation (96.3%), which are all measures of improved energy efficiency.
   • Target 7.a: “By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.” This scientific article itself is a contribution to clean energy research and technology, proposing an advanced system for a sustainable energy future.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.” The article highlights that the SGHE-CS is designed to “maintain grid stability” and build a “resilient energy infrastructure,” ensuring reliability through “real-time monitoring and adaptive control strategies.”
   • Target 9.4: “By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…” The SGHE-CS is a prime example of a clean technology designed to upgrade energy infrastructure, making it more sustainable and efficient.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities…” The system’s goal to achieve a “low-carbon energy future” and “reduce emissions” directly contributes to improving air quality and lowering the environmental footprint of urban and residential areas where it could be deployed.
4. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The development and implementation of technologies like the SGHE-CS are concrete measures and strategies that can be integrated into national plans to combat climate change by transitioning to low-carbon energy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several specific, quantifiable indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These are presented as key performance metrics of the SGHE-CS:

• Hydrogen Production Efficiency (98.5%): This is a direct indicator for Target 7.3 (energy efficiency). It measures the effectiveness of converting electrical energy into chemical energy in the form of hydrogen.
• Combustion Efficiency (98.1%): This also serves as an indicator for Target 7.3, as it reflects the proportion of hydrogen’s energy that is successfully converted into usable power, minimizing waste.
• Renewable Integration Efficiency (97.3%): This is a key indicator for Target 7.2 (increasing renewable energy share). It quantifies the system’s ability to utilize variable renewable energy without loss or curtailment.
• Storage and Transportation Efficiency (96.3%): This metric relates to Target 7.3 and Target 9.4 by measuring the efficiency of the energy supply chain, a crucial aspect of sustainable infrastructure.
• Operational Versatility (99.3%): This acts as an indicator for Target 9.1 (resilient infrastructure). It denotes the system’s ability to maintain high performance under varying load demands and grid conditions, proving its reliability and resilience.
• Reduction in Carbon Emissions: While not quantified with a single percentage, this is a strongly implied indicator for Target 11.6 and Target 13.2. The article repeatedly states the system’s purpose is to create a “low-carbon energy future” and “drastically lower carbon emissions,” which is a primary goal and measure of success.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy. 7.3: Improve energy efficiency. 7.a: Promote access to clean energy research and technology.	– Renewable integration efficiency (97.3%) – Hydrogen production efficiency (98.5%) – Combustion efficiency (98.1%) – Storage and transportation efficiency (96.3%) – The development of the SGHE-CS as an advanced clean energy technology.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure with clean and sustainable technologies.	– Operational versatility (99.3%) – The SGHE-CS as an innovative and clean technology for infrastructure. – Real-time monitoring and adaptive control strategies for reliability.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.	– Implied reduction in carbon emissions for residential applications. – Creation of a low-carbon energy solution for communities.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and strategies.	– The SGHE-CS as a technological strategy for a “low-carbon energy future.” – Implied goal of minimizing lifetime CO₂ emissions.

Source: nature.com