Hydrogen as a Secondary Energy Carrier: Modeling Its Integration in National Grids

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a pivotal secondary energy carrier with the potential to accelerate the global transition toward low-carbon energy systems. Its versatility allows it to function as a medium for storing, transporting, and converting energy derived from diverse primary sources, including renewables and fossil fuels with carbon capture. This examines the modeling of hydrogen’s integration into national electricity grids, emphasizing its role in enhancing system flexibility, supporting sector coupling, and enabling deep decarbonization. This explores various modeling frameworks, including integrated energy system models, capacity expansion models, power flow analyses, and multi-sector optimization tools. It addresses key technical, economic, and environmental factors influencing hydrogen integration, such as production pathways, storage options, transport infrastructure, and conversion efficiencies. The analysis also considers regulatory environments, policy incentives, and market dynamics that shape the feasibility and scalability of hydrogen-based systems. By analyzing case studies from Europe, Japan, the United States, and Australia, this highlights practical applications of hydrogen integration, including cross-border pipeline initiatives, import-based hydrogen supply chains, and localized grid-hydrogen projects. Despite its significant potential, integrating hydrogen into national grids presents challenges related to model complexity, uncertainty in technology evolution, data gaps, and interoperability with existing infrastructure. Furthermore, socioeconomic implications such as affordability, energy equity, and public acceptance must be carefully managed. This identifies emerging trends, including artificial intelligence-driven modeling, digital twins, and advanced scenario analysis, which offer new opportunities for more precise and adaptive planning. Ultimately, thisunderscores the importance of comprehensive, data-driven modeling to inform investments, regulatory frameworks, and policy interventions necessary to unlock hydrogen’s full value as a secondary energy carrier in future national and regional energy systems.