Influence of Power-to-Gas-technology on unit commitment and power system operation

According to the Energy Policy of European Union, renewable energy sources (RES) should supply 80% of the total demand for electrical energy in the year 2050. Due to seasonal intermittency of these production technologies, large-scale penetration of energy storage can be expected. Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology offers a possibility for long-term storage of excess electricity, as well as other advantages that result from the coupling with the gas system. In order to analyze effects of PtG units on the power system, especially with regards to their positioning, a simulation method modeling electricity markets and network operation is presented in this paper. Exemplary results show that PtG units can significantly contribute to the integration of RES energy. Their positioning is however a key factor, as transmission restrictions potentially limit the amount of electricity that can be transported and stored.