GenComm’s techno economic model , the ‘DST’, the Decision Support Tool can examine the potential of wind to help produce renewable hydrogen. Statistics can show how much wind is available , the operating costs of hydrogen relative to other fuels and future projections for costs in future years.
The results of a techno economic model of Wind Hydrogen Systems located at each wind farm in Ireland is presented in this weeks paper. When an electrolyser operates with available wind or at full capacity the Wind Hydrogen System shows a better performance reflected in lower cost hydrogen. The WHS can harness the wind with support from grid electrcity to produce hydrogen and transport it to the irish natural gas grid.
The future potential of hydrogen capacity from current wind capacities reaches 49 kilotonnes which is equivalent to nearly 3% energy demand of natural gas in Ireland. Additional capacities in the future can elevate the potential of hydrogen to substitute energy from natural gas to almost 6%.
This potential can be exploited after technical, economic and regulation challenges in hydrogen injection at potential sites are answered. The paper recommends irish energy stakeholders structure and establish a regulation for hydrogen injection to the gas grid. This stimulates more renewables in the gas network particularly renewable hydrogen.
GenComm Programme Manager Paul Mc Cormack
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