300 MW – Hydrogen Production Plant – Chile
Challenge
The ambitious project undertaken by Efuelution in Chile involves the development of a green hydrogen production facility, uniquely powered by a 300 MW wind farm. The primary challenge centers on effectively harnessing fluctuating wind energy to ensure a stable, continuous production of green hydrogen. This encompasses not only the technical feasibility of converting wind energy into hydrogen at scale but also ensuring the project’s financial viability and operational resilience in the face of wind variability.
Solution
Efuelution approaches these challenges with a multi-faceted simulation strategy:
Financial Simulations:
To assess the project’s economic landscape, detailed financial simulations are conducted. These models analyze capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenses (OPEX), potential revenue from hydrogen sales, and return on investment (ROI). The simulations also consider various market scenarios, government incentives, and the impact of global energy prices on the project’s financial health.
Operational Simulations:
Leveraging a digital twin of the proposed hydrogen plant, operational simulations predict the facility’s performance under different wind conditions. These simulations optimize the scheduling of electrolyzer operations to match the wind farm’s energy output, ensuring efficient hydrogen production. Additionally, strategies for energy storage and demand response are evaluated to mitigate the impact of wind intermittency.
Technical Simulations:
On the technical front, simulations are performed to refine the design of both the wind farm and electrolyzer systems. This includes assessing the optimal configuration for wind turbines to maximize energy capture and determining the most effective electrolyzer technology to convert wind energy into hydrogen. The simulations explore the integration of these systems within Chile’s unique geographical and climatic conditions, ensuring the technical feasibility of the project.
Project Description
The proposed project aims to pioneer a sustainable pathway for green hydrogen production in the Netherlands by leveraging an innovative mix of 50 MW from both solar and wind energy sources. This balanced approach addresses the inherent variability in renewable energy generation, enhancing the operational efficiency of electrolyzers and reducing the LCoH. Through meticulous technical and operational simulations, the study offers robust solutions to potential net congestion, ensuring reliable energy supply and system scalability. Financial simulations underpin the project’s economic strategy, painting a comprehensive picture of its viability.
Positioned to make a significant contribution to the Netherlands’ renewable energy targets and hydrogen economy, this project not only showcases the potential of integrating diverse renewable sources for sustainable hydrogen production but also sets a precedent for addressing grid congestion challenges. By embodying innovative energy management strategies and scalable solutions, the initiative aims to pave the way for future renewable hydrogen projects, both nationally and globally.
Project data
Client
Confidential
Systeem
Hydrogen Production Plant
Power Source
Onshore Wind Farm
Power Capacity
300 MW
Product Produced
eFuel Hydrogen
Periode
2023
Duration
2 months
Location
Chile
Fase
Power to X – Project Simulation
Step
Step 1 Concept and Feasebility
