Christoph Stiller
Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany
Patrick Schmidt
Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany
Jan Michalski
Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110574201Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:20, p. 4201-4208
Published: 2011-11-03
ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
With more than 20 GW of installed wind power capacity installed in Northern Germany and more to come when offshore wind power expands; there are periods when the available wind power exceeds the grid capacity or even the electricity demand in reach. This excess wind power could be utilised for the electrolytic production of hydrogen; which can be stored and used as a transportation fuel; feedstock for the chemical industry; for re-electrification or for natural gas (NG) pipeline injection.
Based on the potential availability of excess wind power for hydrogen production and in view of the expected build-out; the paper drafts and discusses the economic framework and modalities of hydrogen production. Potential usages are discussed in general and specially for Northern Germany; where a hydrogen demand of 320 mill. Nm3 was identified by 2020 for industry and transportation.
With some initial incentives; electrolytic hydrogen production can be made competitive by 2020. It is concluded that Northern Germany is an ideal region for the production of hydrogen from renewables due to the its high wind power density; its geologic conditions allowing for cavern storage; its industrial demand for hydrogen and also its pioneering role in hydrogen fuelled road transportation.
