New Zealand-German Platform For Green Hydrogen Integration (HINT)

We will develop the most comprehensive integrated energy system model for New Zealand. It will be open source and adaptable for use in many future studies. We will do this by building on the energy system planning tool RE Mix from our partners of the German Aerospace Center, and by developing machine ­learning approaches for forecasting transport demand and detecting potential applications of hydrogen.

We will be able to answer the following pressing questions related to the energy transformation:

• Can green hydrogen help achieve zero-carbon transport, both in and outside cities?
• Can green hydrogen in urban systems help to fulfil net-zero carbon goals? And how does hydrogen help industries, including the primary sector?
• How does green hydrogen aid the integration of renewables? And what are optimal levels of hydrogen deployment for minimizing spillage?
• How can the uncertainties from extreme droughts and future hydrogen costs be addressed in planning tools?
• Can hydrogen provide competitive long-term storage (like a “national battery”)?
• What are the environmental impacts and benefits of hydrogen, contextualized in an integrated energy system?
• What are the opportunities that green hydrogen opens to our local communities? Can it improve energy poverty and equity?
• What is New Zealand’s potential role within the hydrogen exporting triangle (Australia, Chile, North America)? And what hydrogen concepts should New Zealand envision? For example, off-shore hydrogen hubs with pipelines and ship transport? Production close to consumers? Hydrology­dependent imports and exports?
• Can New Zealand become energy independent by using hydrogen technologies? And can we power the Pacific Islands?

We will leverage the existing hydrogen roadmap and the expertise of an international, multidisciplinary team of energy, transport, electricity, and environmental experts to assess the role, advantages, and benefits of future hydrogen use in Aotearoa.

We will disseminate our work with the government, industry and Maori partners, and other scientists through workshops, conferences, and publications.

Leads:

• Jannik Haas and Rebecca Peer, Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
• Hans Christian Gils and Wided Medjroubi, German Aerospace Center, Germany

Co-investigators:

• Mehdi Keyvan-Ekbatani, Alan Wood, Tom Logan, Hamish Avery, Grant Read, University of Canterbury
• Andy Philpott, Andrea Raith, University of Auckland
  
• Manuel Wetzel, Alaa Alhamwi,  German Aerospace Center

Researchers:

• Rafaella Canessa
• Akash Handique
• Stella Steidl
• Hadi Vatankhah
• Madison Zegeer
• Francisco Astorga
• Shang Jiang
• Alejandro Zabala

Board

• Pierluigi Mancarella, University of Melbourne
• Christian Breyer, LUT Finland
• Rodrigo Palma, University of Chile
• Hiringa
• FirstGas
• Mercury
• Genesis

Publication List

This is an extensive list of publications and events associated with the HINT research project. 

WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

Presented:

1. Haas J. & team. “Hydrogen integration modeling”. The Electric Power Optimization Centre’s 20th Annual Winter Workshop, 09 Sep 2022, Auckland.
2. ​Read E. G. “Can virtual disaggregation integrate large-scale storage into the NZEM?” EPOC’s 20th Annual Winter Workshop, 09 Sep 2022, Auckland.
3. Haas J. & team. “Update on the NZ-German platform for green hydrogen integration”. GNS, Transition to a low emissions economy and society – the Hydrogen opportunity, 3-4 Oct 2022, Invercargill. ​
4. Haas J. & team. “Planning NZ’s energy transition including green hydrogen”. Universities Research Offices NZ Annual Conference, 10 Nov 2022, Christchurch.
5. Haas J. & team. “Hydrogen, is it different this time?” Uni. Chile seminar series of the Department of Water Resources and Environment, 10 Nov 2022, online. ​
6. Haas J. & team. “Fully-integrated energy systems: New models and insights for Chile and New Zealand”. Invited presentation and panelist. Complex Energy Systems Workshop, July 2023, Santiago, Chile.
7. Philpott A.B. “EMERALD: a green GEM”. EPOC’s 21st Annual Winter Workshop, Aug 2023, Auckland.
8. Haas J., Canessa R., Vatankhah Ghadim H., Ale M., Peer R. “Planning multi-sector energy systems: new models and insights for New Zealand”. EPOC’s 21st Annual Winter Workshop, Aug 2023, Auckland.
9. Philpott A.B. “Using JADE for capacity planning”. EPOC’s 21st Annual Winter Workshop, Aug 2023, Auckland.
10. Peer R. “Hydrogen research and innovation at the University of Canterbury & beyond.” Invited presentation and panelist. H2 2 Zero Summit, Sep 2023, Wellington.
11. Alhamwi A., Gils H.C. “Updates on the German national hydrogen strategy: Booster for hydrogen economy”. Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand Workshop, Jan 2024, Christchurch.
12. Read E. G. “Optimisation modeling for policy evaluation during major NZ energy transitions”. Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand Workshop, Jan 2024, Christchurch.
13. Canessa R., Steidl S., Peer R. “Scenarios for hydrogen”. Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand Workshop, Jan 2024, Christchurch.
14. Philpott A.B. “Modelling distributed hydrogen as demand response”. Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand Workshop, Jan 2024, Christchurch.
15. Wetzel M. “Experiences from modeling hydrogen for Germany and Europe”. Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand Workshop, Jan 2024, Christchurch.
16. Wetzel M. “Transformation pathways towards a climate neutral European energy system using power and gas networks”. University of Canterbury, Mar 2024, Christchurch.
17. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R. “Multi-energy system analysis for New Zealand: Electricity and hydrogen on a national scale”. University of Melbourne, Apr 2024, Melbourne, Australia.

Participated:

1. Flores J. Attended. NZ Hydrogen Council, H2 2 ZERO Summit, 3-4 May 2022, Wellington. ​
2. Haas J. Attended. NZ Hydrogen Council Annual Meeting, 08 Sep 2022, Auckland. ​
3. Persad S., Canessa R., Steidl S., Peer R., Haas J. Attended. Hydrogen Roadmap Workshop, 07 Dec 2022, Christchurch.
4. Steidl S., Haas J. Attended. The Hydrogen Consortium project launch, 10 Feb 2023, Christchurch.
5. Peer R., Haas J. Attended. NZ Hydrogen Council Annual Meeting, 29 Nov 2024, Christchurch.

CONFERENCES

Presented:

1. Philpott A.B., Downward A., Roulston C., Thurman H. “On hydrogen and electricity security of supply.” Operations Research Society of New Zealand Annual Conference 2022, 29 Nov 2022, Auckland.
2. Downward A., Philpott A.B., Hunsberger E. “Multi-horizon modeling of hydrogen integration.” Operations Research Society of New Zealand Annual Conference 2022, 29 Nov 2022, Auckland.
3. Gils H.C., Pregger T., Naegler T. “Value of diversification in 100% renewable energy scenarios”. 4th International Forum on Long-term Scenarios for the Clean Energy Transition. 7-9 Dec 2022, Bonn, Germany.
4. Haas J., Peer R., Medjroubi W., Alhamwi A., Canessa R., Breyer C., Gils H.C., Wetzel M., Flores J., Persad S., Palma-Behnke R., Steidl S. “Integrated energy planning for hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels and chemicals: State of knowledge and current developments”. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 11-15 Dec 2022, Chicago, U.S., Link
5. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R. “Modelling hydrogen integration: past, present and future”. First New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium, 1-3 Feb 2023, Dunedin.
6. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Haas J., Peer R. “How low can you go? Cost projections versus real costs of green hydrogen production”. First New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium, 1-3 Feb 2023, Dunedin. ​
7. Persad S., Peer R., Haas J. “Assessment of the current and near-term energy sector in New Zealand and comparative analysis of green hydrogen integration”. First New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium, 1-3 Feb 2023, Dunedin.
8. Steidl S., Haas J., Peer R. “Modelling of green hydrogen in urban areas, case study Christchurch, New Zealand”. First New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium, 1-3 Feb 2023, Dunedin.
9. Murphy S., Haas J., Gallardo P., Land J. “Greenhouse gas mitigation in dairy agriculture: Scenario Analysis – with Case Study in Canterbury, New Zealand”. Carbon Energy Professionals – Our resilient future, 27-28 June 2023, Wellington.
10. Steidl S., Haas J., Alhamwi A., Medjroubi W., Peer R. “GIS-based optimization tool to determine future green hydrogen integration opportunities in urban energy systems”. International Federation of Operational Research Societies IFORS2023, Jul 2023, Santiago, Chile. Link
11. Haas J. & team. “Overcoming modeling gaps in future electricity systems: sectors, technologies, hydrogen applications, and temporospatial resolution”. IEEE General Meeting, July 2023, Orlando, U.S.
12. Gils H.C., Wetzel M., Gardian H., Schmugge J. “Realizing sector coupling in Europe and beyond: the future role of electricity and gas grids”. 18th IAEE European Conference, 24-27 July 2023, Milan, Italy. Link
13. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R. “Electrolyzer cost projections compared to actual market costs: a critical analysis”. Proceedings of 12th IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies – Asia, 21-24 Nov 2023, Auckland. Link
14. Martin P., Nowak W., Haas J. “Coordinated optimization of water supply systems with evolving energy systems”. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 11-15 Dec 2023, San Francisco, U.S.
15. Peer R., Haas J. “Integrated modeling of future energy pathways in New Zealand”. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 11-15 Dec 2023, San Francisco, U.S. Link
16. Haas J. “Hydrogen exports: South America and New Zealand”. Invited panelist in Assessing Latin America’s Role as a Leading Hydrogen Exporter in the Global Energy Transition. 4th LA Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (LA-SDEWES), Jan 2024, Santiago, Chile.
17. Haas J., Peer R., Osorio-Aravena J.C., Aghahosseini A., Breyer C. “Learnings from all-sector energy transition optimization: a look at Chile and New Zealand”. 4th LA Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (LA-SDEWES), Jan 2024, Santiago, Chile
18. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R. “New Zealand’s Energy Transition to Net-Zero: An Integrated Multi-Energy Systems Approach Including Green Hydrogen”. 4th LA Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (LA-SDEWES), Jan 2024, Santiago, Chile.
19. Alé M., Canessa R., Haas J., Yeligeti M., Wetzel M., Moreno R. “Against future disasters: Resilient power system planning for New Zealand using REMix”. 4th LA Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (LA-SDEWES), Jan 2024, Santiago, Chile.
20. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Haas J., Peer R., Read E. G. “Demand scenarios for hydrogen transition in New Zealand: priorities and expectations”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
21. Handique A., Haas J., Peer R. “Scientific literature review on distributed hydrogen systems”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
22. Steidl S., Haas J., Peer R., Alhamwi A., Medjroubi W. “Green hydrogen production potential at city level: a GIS-based approach for New Zealand”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
23. Gils H.C. “Future hydrogen infrastructures – a European perspective”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
24. Alhamwi A. “Green hydrogen for urban energy systems and industries: Lessons from Germany”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
25. Wetzel M., Witte F., Schmugge J., Gils H.C. “Transformation pathways towards a climate neutral European energy system using integrated power and gas networks”. New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, Jan 2024, Wellington.
26. Steidl S., Haas J., Peer R., Alhamwi A., Medjroubi W., Zabala Figueroa A. “Modelling green hydrogen integration opportunities at city level: a GIS-based approach”. 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (AP-SDEWES), Apr 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.
27. Zegeer M., Haas J., Peer R. “Can Energy Systems Withstand the Heat? Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Solar PV and Heat Pumps”. 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (AP-SDEWES), Apr 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.
28. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R., Wetzel M., Alé M. “Build, build, build: New renewable energy capacity needed to meet New Zealand”. 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (AP-SDEWES), Apr 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.
29. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Haas J., Peer R. “Renewable Energy Technologies Cost Analysis: Current Market Status and Future Expectations”. 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (AP-SDEWES), Apr 2024, Gold Coast, Australia.
30. Schumm L., Haas J. “Offtaker regulation: Impacts for New Zealand hydrogen export ambitions”. 33rd Young Energy Economists and Engineers Seminar (YEEES33), May 2024, Leuven, Belgium.
31. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R., Wetzel M., Gils H.C., Alé M. “One Does Not Simply Walk into the Hydrogen Economy: Charting New Zealand’s Course to Net-Zero”. 42nd International Energy Workshop (IEW), Jun 2024, Bonn, Germany.
32. Steidl S., Haas J., Alhamwi A., Peer R., Zabala Figueroa A., Medjroubi W. “GIS-based optimization tool for green hydrogen integration in cities: A comparative case study of New Zealand and German cities”. 33rd European Conference on Operational Research, Jun 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark.
33. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R., Wetzel M., Gils H.C. “Big hydro, two islands, one goal: Exploring New Zealand’s path to Net-Zero with Green Hydrogen integration”. 33rd European Conference on Operational Research, Jun 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark.
34. Martin P., Haas J., Nowak W. “Coordinated Optimization of Water-Energy System Operation”. 33rd European Conference on Operational Research, Jun 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark.
35. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Ebadi Torkayesh A., Haas J., Peer R., Walther G., Venghaus S. “Green Skies Ahead: Streamlining the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply Chain in New Zealand”. 33rd European Conference on Operational Research, Jun 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Co-organized:

1. Philpott A. and Downward T. organized the 20th EPOC Winter Workshop, 9 Sep 2022, Auckland, with several presentations on hydrogen.
2. Downward T. organized the ORSNZ Conference 2022, 28-29 Nov 2022, Auckland, with a special session on hydrogen integration into energy systems.
3. Peer R. and Haas J. were organising committee members for the First New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium, 1- 3 Feb 2023, Dunedin.
4. Philpott A. organized the 21st EPOC Winter Workshop, 28 Aug 2023, Auckland, with several presentations on hydrogen.
5. Peer R., Haas J., and Steidl S. organized the Energy Futures: Hydrogen for New Zealand workshop, 29 Jan. 2024, Christchurch.
6. Peer R. and Haas J. were organising committee members for the New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2024, 31 Jan- 2 Feb 2024, Wellington, with a special session on hydrogen energy systems.

JOURNALS

Published

1. Osorio-Aravena J. C., Haas J., Aghahosseini A., Breyer C. “Commentary and critical discussion on: Decarbonizing the Chilean Electric Power System: A Prospective Analysis of Alternative Carbon Emissions Policies”. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol. 36, Dec 2022, Link
2. Osorio-Aravena J. C., Aghahosseini A., Bogdanov D., Caldera U., Ghorbani N., Nii Odai Mensah T., Haas J., Muñoz-Cerón E., Breyer C. “Synergies of electrical and sectoral integration: analysing geographical multi-node scenarios with sector coupling variations for a transition towards a fully renewables-based energy system”. Energy, Vol. 279, Sep 2023, Link
3. Jiang S., Tran C.Q., Keyvan-Ekbatani M. “Regional route guidance with realistic compliance patterns: Application of deep reinforcement learning and MPC”. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, Vol. 158, Jan 2024, Link
4. Tran C.Q., Keyvan-Ekbatani M., and Ngoduy D. “Towards clean transportation systems: Infrastructure planning for EVs charging while driving”. Sustainable Cities and Society, Vol. 96, Sep 2023, Link
5. Paredes-Vergara M., Palma-Behnke R., Haas J. “Characterizing decision making under deep uncertainty for model-based energy transitions”. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 192, Mar 2024, Link

Submitted and working papers

1. Alvear C., Haas J., Palma-Behnke R., Peer, R., Medina J. P., Kern J. “Green hydrogen exports in New Zealand and Chile can improve electricity supply security if configured as local energy insurance”, Energy (Submitted).
2. Osorio-Aravena J. C., Reyes-Chamorro L., Haas J., Aguilera J., Palma-Behnke R., Breyer C. “Insights for informing energy transition policies – Are decision-makers listening to science?”, Energy Policy (Submitted).
3. Hole J., Philpott A.B., Dowson O. “Capacity planning of renewable energy systems using stochastic dual dynamic programming”, European Journal of Operational Research (Submitted).
4. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Peer R., Haas J., Read E. G. “How much hydrogen could we need in New Zealand? Understanding the diverse hydrogen applications and their regional mapping”, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand (Submitted).
5. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Haas J., Peer R., Breyer C. “We are still too pessimistic – Renewable cost projections over-estimating real costs”, Working paper.
6. Gulagi A., Canessa R., Breyer C., ElSayed M., Keiner D., Haas J., Peer R. “The role of renewable energy in New Zealand for defossilisation and the potential for e-fuels export to the Pacific Islands”. Working paper.
7. Handique A., Haas J., Peer R., Osorio-Aravena J. C., Reyes-Chamorro L. “Distributed Hydrogen Systems: A Literature Review “. Working paper.
8. Steidl A., Haas J., Alhamwi A., Medjroubi W., Peer R. “Introducing FlexiGIS-H2: GIS-based open-source tool to model green hydrogen in urban energy systems – a case study based in Christchurch, NZ”. Working paper.
9. Canessa R., Haas J., Peer R., Alé M., Wetzel M. “A High-Resolution Optimization Model for Planning New Zealand’s Energy Future: A Focus on Least-Cost and Renewable Integration”. Working paper.

MEDIA RELEASES

• Canterbury green hydrogen projects get $4 million boost, University of Canterbury, 16 Aug 2022, Click here.
• Hon, A. V. Government partners with Germany to invest in green hydrogen research, Beehive.govt.nz,16 Aug 2022, Click here.
• Introducing Te Waipounamu scientists researching Hydrogen, YouTube, 09 Jul 2022, Click here.
• Plenty to talk about this week, and watch our videos!, University of Canterbury, 25 Aug 2022, Click here.
• Research on our future energy needs gets $2m boost, University of Canterbury, 16 Aug 2022, Click here.
• MPC. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies