Hydrogen Generation from Renewable Sources: A Spanish Experience

Transcription

1 Hydrogen Generation from Renewable Sources: A Spanish Experience GLOBAL POWER GENERATION AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd Guillermo Alonso (Engineering Manager) 28 th November 2016

2 Index 1. Background 2. The challenge for energy storage 3. Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology 4. The ACT Hydrogen initiative sponsored by GPG 1

3 Background 1

4 Background Global Power Generation Australia and its parent group GPGA is the Australian subsidiary of Global Power Generation (GPG), which is the international generation arm belonging to Gas Natural Fenosa (GNF) Group. GNF s main magnitudes: 3

5 Background Gas Natural Fenosa in the world 4

6 Background Global Power Generation Australia GPGA commenced its operations in Australia in 2008, to develop a portfolio of wind farms acquired from a local developer. The portfolio comprises 8 projects in 2 States: NSW: Crookwell 2, Crookwell 3 and Paling Yards (Southern Tablelands) VIC: Ryan Corner, Hawkesdale, Berrybank, Darlington and Tarrone (all in the SW district) Currently the portfolio represents ~1,300MW of wind farms being developed, with one of them (Crookwell 2, 91MW), already moving into construction mode. On 18 th August 2016, the ACT Government awarded Crookwell 2 Wind Farm a Feed-in Tariff Entitlement as part of the ACT Next Generation Renewables Auction. It is expected that the wind farm will commence commercial operation by late 2018, contributing to the 100% renewables target for the Territory. We are committed to a number of initiatives for Economic Development in the ACT. The key one for the Academic Institutions and for the Industry of the ACT, is the Renewable Power to Gas initiative, which is described in the rest of this presentation. 5

7 The challenge for energy storage 2

8 Wind Demand coverage (%) PV Demand coverage (%) The challenge for energy storage Wind and solar energy are naturally fluctuating Current targets for renewable energy at a global scale, and specifically for the ACT, require an increasingly important role of wind and solar energy. The natural variability and intermittency of these sources will require solutions to balance the generation with demand. Solar generation shows a daily trend, with seasonal variation Energy production [kwh] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Wind generation shows a more random behaviour Wind Photovoltaic Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Daily wind generation Average Generation Percentage Peak demand from the System will not necessarily match the Maximum Renewable Production 7

9 Discharge time The challenge for energy storage Energy storage technologies and properties Energy Storage with different discharge ranges, capacities and timeframes offer a solution that will allow a higher penetration of variable renewable energy. A combination of storage technologies would be required. Hydrogen and Methane (natural gas), are forms of storage offering larger energy storage capabilities and are potentially the most suitable for bulk energy storage. Source: Fraunhofer IWES - Solarfuel Stored energy Hydrogen and methane do not require a specific storage infrastructure as they can be directly injected into the existing gas distribution grid that acts as the sink 8

10 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology 3

11 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Concept ReP2G technology is a leading candidate to tackle the issues associated with the intermittency of renewable energy power generation. The ReP2G process links the electrical power grid to the gas grid by converting the electrical energy to: Hydrogen (H 2 ) by water electrolysis for direct injection in the gas grid or conversion to; Methane (CH 4 ) by the reaction of H 2 with an available source of carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). This process results in a substitute or synthetic natural gas (SNG) and offers significant potential as a CO 2 sink. ReP2G process chain Methanation provides a double benefit: Energy storage plus CO 2 reduction 10

12 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Electric and gas networks interconnection The electricity and gas networks can become increasingly interconnected leading to a sustainable, interconnected and smart energy grid Other technologies can build upon ReP2G, adding value and increasing the sustainability of the energy system 11

13 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Advantages ReP2G technology allows or facilitates: For the power system: For the gas system: For the society: Increased renewable generation capacity. Avoided renewable curtailment. Absorption of reactive power. Reduced reserve power Reduced CO 2 emissions. Increased value for transport and distribution assets. Creation of a new business: Production of synthetic gas/renewable heat. Decarbonising Gas. Reduced fuel imports Improved security of supply. Creation of jobs and wealth. Creation of a new industry: Production of synthetic fuels. Avoid investments in expensive storage facilities. Reduced CO 2 emissions. 12

14 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Our experience in Spain CDPL s parent company, GNF Group, has already conducted research and developed a number of pioneering projects dealing with ReP2G technology and storage: Sotavento Experimental Wind Farm Collaborative project with the State Government of Galicia to acquire knowledge on the technology and potential of H 2 as storage of renewable energy. This plant, the first of its type in Europe, has a capacity of 288kW, achieving a H 2 production efficiency of 75% producing some 60 Nm 3 /h of gas. 13

15 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Our experience in Spain The Hydrogen plant is located at the Sotavento Experimental Wind Farm, west of the main building, being the main equipment is located in containers. This plant comes from the need to explore energy storage systems and their potential linked to the management of renewable energies, as well as to analyse the operation and efficiency of a real plant connected to a wind farm. The objective was to obtain knowledge of the operation and the problems in a facility of this nature, with a view to transferring this knowledge and experience to future energy management plants on a larger scale. The facility has been developed jointly by the Ministry of Economy and Industry of the State Government of Galicia, Gas Natural Fenosa and the Sotavento Galicia Foundation. The operation of the plant consists of a first phase of hydrogen generation, its subsequent storage and finally its combustion. The main components are: Electrolyser. This device is produces the decoupling of the water molecule into its constituent elements, oxygen and hydrogen. The maximum generation capacity of the equipment is 60 Nm 3 /h of hydrogen (under normal conditions of pressure and temperature, and with a purity of 99.99%). The oxygen generated in the process is emitted into the atmosphere. Compressor. Equipment raising the pressure of the hydrogen generated up to 200 bar for its storage. Hydrogen storage system. Cylinders. The maximum storage capacity of the plant is 1,725 m 3. Moto generator. Equipment in which electrical energy is generated as a product of the combustion of hydrogen. The electric power of the motor generator is 55 kw. 14

16 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Our experience in Spain. Technical characteristics (I) ELECTROLYSER COMPRESSOR Make and Model Hydrogenics HysSTAT-A 1000Q Make and Model Bauer HFS DUO II Number of stacks/ cells Maximum hydrogen flow 60 Nm 3 /h Output pressure 4 stacks / 90 cells per stack 6-10 Bar Efficiency of the electrolytic cells 4.2 kwh/nm 3 Maximum electrical power consumption Demineralised water consumption 288 kw < 1 l/nm 3 of H 2 Suction pressure Discharge pressure Vacuum flow Compression stages 3 Number of cylinders 4 Electrical power consumption Bar 200 Bar 18 Nm 3 /h at 2 Bar 30.9 Nm 3 /h at 4 Bar 7.4 kw at 2 Bar 12.4 kw at 4 Bar Electrolyte type Amount of electrolyte Total weight in operation Dilution of KOH in water at 30% v/v 650 l 4,200 kg 15

17 Renewable Power to Gas (ReP2G) technology Our experience in Spain. Technical characteristics (II) MOTO-GENERATOR Manufacturer Continental Energy Sistems Mechanical engine power Fuel consumption Configuration 60 kw 198 kw 6 cylinders in line Cylinder capacity 11,700 cm 3 Cycle Speed 4 times 1,500 rpm Maximum hydrogen flow 70 Nm 3 /h Supply pressure Generator electrical power mbar 55 kw Generator efficiency 91-93% More info: 16

18 The ACT Hydrogen initiative sponsored by GPG 4

19 The ACT Hydrogen initiative sponsored by GPG General scope To deliver the proposed energy storage paradigm, CDLP, ANU-ECI and ActewAGL are engaging to carry out this initiative with the following goals: Bring together academic institutions and the industry to integrate energy storage solutions with the existing and future rooftop solar PV installations and other micro-grid infrastructure. Invest in an appropriately sized ReP2G pilot plant, envisaged to be in the range of kw on an ACT site to support the applicable research and test program, whose results will provide knowledge about the technical and economic feasibility of the ReP2G systems. Assess the commercial potential of the Renewable Power to Gas technology. Ultimately, potential to create a new sector within the renewable energy industry reaching beyond the ACT that will create long-term jobs and economic benefits as a result of rolling out commercial products. CDLP will provide seed funding for the ReP2G project valued at $1.25M. Also as a part of the transfer activities, we will transfer knowledge and experience valued in $30M. Additionally, a significant part of the funding that CDLP will provide to the ACT tertiary collaboration & research partnership with the ANU, valued at $1.5 million over 20 years, will be oriented to the ReP2G initiative and this provision will comprise of: An annual scholarship of up to $25,000 Additional collaborative research funding of up to $50,000 per annum. 18

20 Thank you This presentation is property of Gas Natural Fenosa / Global Power Generation. Copyright Gas Natural SDG, S.A.