Technical–Economic Analysis of Renewable Hydrogen Production from Solar Photovoltaic and Hydro Synergy in a Pilot Plant in Brazil

Ana Beatriz Barros Souza Riedel (), Vitor Feitosa Riedel, Hélio Nunes de Souza Filho, Ennio Peres da Silva, Renato Marques Cabral, Leandro de Brito Silva and Alexandre de Castro Pereira
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Ana Beatriz Barros Souza Riedel: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Vitor Feitosa Riedel: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Hélio Nunes de Souza Filho: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Ennio Peres da Silva: Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Planning, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Renato Marques Cabral: Eletrobras, E-Fuel Management (CMNSC), Goiânia 74993-600, Brazil
Leandro de Brito Silva: Eletrobras, E-Fuel Management (CMNSC), Goiânia 74993-600, Brazil
Alexandre de Castro Pereira: Eletrobras, E-Fuel Management (CMNSC), Goiânia 74993-600, Brazil

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Renewable hydrogen obtained from renewable energy sources, especially when produced through water electrolysis, is gaining attention as a promising energy vector to deal with the challenges of climate change and the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. In this context, this work analyzes a pilot plant that uses this technology, installed in the Itumbiara Hydropower Plant located between the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais, Brazil, from technical and economic perspectives. The plant utilizes an alkaline electrolyzer synergistically powered by solar photovoltaic and hydro sources. Cost data for 2019, when the equipment was purchased, and 2020–2023, when the plant began continuous operation, are considered. The economic analysis includes annualized capital, maintenance, and variable costs, which determines the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). The results obtained for the pilot plant’s LCOH were USD 13.00 per kilogram of H 2 , with an efficiency loss of 2.65% for the two-year period. Sensitivity analysis identified the capacity factor (CF) as the main determinant of the LCOH. Even though the analysis specifically applies to the Itumbiara Hydropower Plant, the CF can be extrapolated to larger plants as it directly influences hydrogen production regardless of plant size or capacity.

Keywords: renewable hydrogen production; levelized cost of hydrogen; solar and hydropower plant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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