Hydrogen Production from Offshore Wind Parks: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

Abstract

With the increase in renewable energy connected to the grid, new challenges arise due to its variable supply of power. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new methods of storing energy. Hydrogen can fulfil the role of energy storage and even act as an energy carrier, since it has a much higher energetic density than batteries and can be easily stored. Considering that the offshore wind sector is facing significant growth and technical advances, hydrogen has the potential to be combined with offshore wind energy to aid in overcoming disadvantages such as the high installation cost of electrical transmission systems and transmission losses. This paper aims to outline and discuss the main features of the integration of hydrogen solutions in offshore wind power and to offer a literature review of the current state of hydrogen production from offshore wind. The paper provides a summary of the technologies involved in hydrogen production along with an analysis of two possible hydrogen producing systems from offshore wind energy. The analysis covers the system components, including hydrogen storage, the system configuration (i.e., offshore vs. onshore electrolyzer), and the potential uses of hydrogen, e.g., Power to Mobility, Power to Power, and Power to Gas.

Powering Europe with North Sea offshore wind: The impact of hydrogen investments on grid infrastructure and power prices

“…A common finding in these studies is that green hydrogen production from offshore wind systems is an efficient way to transmit the wind energy, and that hydrogen can be economically produced on a centralized offshore hub and exported via ships and pipelines. This is in line with the review by [12].…”

Optimal Planning of Co-Located Wind Energy and Hydrogen Plants: A Techno-Economic Analysis

“…Elberry et al [7] have also discussed the current mainstream hydrogen storage methods. In terms of hydrogen transport, several offshore wind farm hydrogen transportation strategies are discussed in [8]. Miao et al [9] compared the economic differences between high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables and hydrogen pipelines when transmitting renewable energy over long distances.…”

Recent Developments on Hydrogen Production Technologies: State-of-the-Art Review with a Focus on Green-Electrolysis

“…In terms of sustainability and environmental impact, PEMEL is also found to be one of the most favorable methods for conversion of renewable energy to highly pure hydrogen; this is mainly due to other promising advantages like its compact design, high current density (meaning higher efficiencies), fast response, and small footprint [63][64][65][66]. Additionally, PEMEL plants are very simple, which is more attractive for industrial applications; these applications might include offshore wind parks [67], grid-independent/grid-assisted solar hydrogen generation and grid-independent integrated solar hydrogen energy systems [68].…”

“…Solid oxide electrolysis thus presents as an advantageous method to produce hydrogen, although still having some issues preventing it to be commercialized on a large scale, namely related to a lack of stability, degradation, and very high temperatures requirements [90][91][92]. This is also why it is especially not adequate for coupling with intermittent power sources but more with nuclear or combined cycle power plants [67]. Currently, SOEL capital costs still fluctuate considerably and are quite uncertain, mainly due to its pre-commercial status; although being surely situated above EUR 3000/kW el [93], experts suggest that solid oxide systems could experience the strongest relative cost reduction by 2030, reaching values as low as EUR 750/kW el by 2030 with production scale-up [74].…”