1 MW – Hydrogen Production Plant – Ireland

Challenge

Efuelution and Kitepower are embarking on a groundbreaking project to harness wind energy through kite systems for green hydrogen production in rural Ireland, with a total capacity of 1 MW. The primary challenge lies in leveraging this novel energy generation method to produce hydrogen at a scale and cost that is both technically feasible and economically viable. This includes overcoming the intermittent nature of wind power, integrating kite energy systems with hydrogen electrolysis processes, and ensuring the project’s profitability and sustainability in a rural setting.

Solution

To address these challenges, the project employs a comprehensive approach through the use of detailed simulations across three critical areas:

Financial Simulations:
The study incorporates extensive financial modeling to evaluate the project’s economic outlook, including capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenses (OPEX), and projected revenues from hydrogen sales. These simulations also explore financial incentives, such as government subsidies for renewable energy projects in Ireland, and assess the impact of market fluctuations on the project’s long-term financial health.

Operational Simulations:
A digital twin of the hydrogen production system, including the kite-powered energy generation and electrolyzer operations, forms the basis for operational simulations. These simulations are designed to optimize the synchronization between the kite’s energy output and the hydrogen production process, ensuring maximum efficiency. Strategies to mitigate the impact of wind variability, such as energy storage solutions and dynamic operation scheduling, are rigorously tested.

Technical Simulations:
Technical simulations focus on the kite system’s design and its integration with the hydrogen electrolysis process. These simulations evaluate the efficiency of energy conversion from kite to hydrogen, the system’s adaptability to Ireland’s wind patterns, and the potential scalability of the technology. Special attention is given to the unique technical challenges posed by deploying kite energy systems in rural settings, including land use, system deployment, and maintenance requirements.

Project Description

This innovative project, a collaboration between Efuelution and Kitepower, aims to pioneer the use of kite-based wind energy for green hydrogen production in rural Ireland. The project’s feasibility study is a testament to the potential of combining cutting-edge kite technology with hydrogen production to create sustainable energy solutions. Through meticulous financial, operational, and technical simulations, the study seeks to validate the project’s viability, paving the way for a new era of renewable energy in rural areas. Success in this venture could not only provide a model for rural energy sustainability in Ireland but also inspire similar initiatives worldwide, showcasing the potential of kite power in the renewable energy landscape.

Project data

Client
Confidential


Systeem
Hydrogen Production Plant


Power Source
Onshore Wind Kite


Power Capacity
1 MW


Product Produced
eFuel Hydrogen


Periode
2024


Duration
3 months


Location
Ireland


Fase
Power to X – Project Simulation


Step
Step 1 Concept and Feasebility