Integrated Hydrogen in Buildings: Energy Performance Comparisons of Green Hydrogen Solutions in the Built Environment

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

H. Hamida Kurniawati (Student TU Delft)

S. Broersma (TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)

Laure Itard (TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)

Saleh Mohammadi (Avans University of Applied Sciences)

Research Group
Environmental & Climate Design
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173232
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Environmental & Climate Design
Issue number
17
Volume number
15
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Abstract

This study investigates the integration of green hydrogen into building energy systems using local solar power, with the electricity grid serving as a backup plan. A comprehensive bottom-up analysis compares six energy system configurations: the natural gas grid boiler system, all-electric heat pump system, natural gas and hydrogen blended system, hydrogen microgrid boiler system, cogeneration hydrogen fuel cell system, and hybrid hydrogen heat pump system. Energy efficiency evaluations were conducted for 25 homes within one block in a neighborhood across five typological house stocks located in Stoke-on-Trent, UK. This research was modeled using a spreadsheet-based approach. The results highlight that while the all-electric heat pump system still demonstrates the highest energy efficiency with the lowest consumption, the hybrid hydrogen heat pump system emerges as the most efficient hydrogen-based solution. Further optimization, through the implementation of a peak-shaving strategy, shows promise in enhancing system performance. In this approach, hybrid hydrogen serves as a heating source during peak demand hours (evenings and cold seasons), complemented by a solar energy powered heat pump during summer and daytime. An hourly operational configuration is recommended to ensure consistent performance and sustainability. This study focuses on energy performance, excluding cost-effectiveness analysis. Therefore, the cost of the energy is not taken into consideration, requiring further development for future research in these areas.