Green hydrogen assessment through the cost-benefit and potential energy generation study in Honduras

Abstract

Introduction. Countries around the world are establishing targets for renewable energy generation. However, they are not able to meet these targets due to the intermittency of renewable energies. Hydrogen as an energy carrier can be considered a solution for the intermittency of renewable energies because it allows energy storage, provides frequency stability to the electrical network, and decreases the dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation. This article addresses the analysis of green hydrogen potential from solar photovoltaic and wind energy from the existing renewable plants in Honduras. Methods. Wind and solar photovoltaic energy generation from every plant studied in this research were evaluated using data obtained from simulations. Power-to-Power hydrogen plants were sized for each plant studied. Four different scenarios were proposed to evaluate the green hydrogen potential. Results. In the first two scenarios, hydrogen potential from all the solar photovoltaic energy and wind energy was evaluated. In the other two remaining scenarios, the potential from the hydrogen plants with the highest cost-benefit was estimated. Conclusion. This work can serve as a reference for sizing hydrogen Power-to-Power plants and can be taken into consideration for future power generation expansion plans in Honduras.