S.E.R.G. WP Series #12-2025: Hydrogen and electricity system planning under water scarcity constraints: Insights from France

2025 - Camille Megy

As the global transition toward low-carbon energy systems intensifies, Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology plays a crucial role in converting surplus electricity into hydrogen via water electrolysis. However, scaling up renewable hydrogen production presents environmental challenges, particularly concerning freshwater resources, which are expected to decline due to climate change. While the integration of water considerations has been explored in electricity systems, they have received little attention in the context of hydrogen systems.

This article examines how climate-induced water availability constraints affect joint elec- tricity and hydrogen planning. We employ a linear programming model to optimize invest- ment and operating decisions. A regret-minimizing approach is used to compare planning decisions with and without considering water availability constraints. We focus on a French case study at a river basin scale.

Results indicate that incorporating climate impacts on water resources leads to increased investments in renewables and PtG capacity, helping offset reductions in hydro and nu- clear production and ensuring adequate hydrogen supply during summer. The regret- minimizing approach demonstrates that proactively considering the impacts of climate change on water resources in electricity and hydrogen planning minimizes regrets. This findings highlight the importance of integrating water constraints in energy system models and contribute to the broader dialogue on climate change adaptation planning.