Preliminary design of a hybrid wind-hydrogen power plant for large steel industry, part 2

Abstract

 The design of a power plant for the energy demand of a large-scale steel industry continues. The primary energy source is a 185 MW wind farm, supplemented by a hydrogen system. The hydrogen system is used to meet the steel plant's demand partially and to miti­gate the intermittency of energy generated by the wind farm. The total annual electrical energy demand is 565 GWh. The large-scale hydrogen system mainly consists of electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, and fuel cells, in addition to complementary pumping and other auxiliary facilities. This design proposes that 80% of the energy demand be met by the wind farm's generation when sufficient, while the remaining 20% will be supplied by electricity from the fuel cells. The rationale is to keep the hydrogen system operational for rapid response when wind generation decreases. The site is located near Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz Province, in the Argentine Patagonia; this region experiences winds throughout most of the year and is close to the port of the same name. The water used for hydrogen production will be sourced from the Atlantic Ocean. The electrical energy for hydrogen generation by the electrolyzers will be supplied by the wind farm. It is concluded that 9 units, each comprising 4 electrolyzers with a total production capacity of 9000 Nm³/h, 104 hydrogen storage tubes (10 m long and 0.91 m in diameter), and 3 PEM fuel cells of 10 MW each, are necessary.