Preliminary estimation of electrolytic hydrogen production potential from renewable energies in Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract An initial assessment of the production potential of H 2 by electrolysis is performed in Ecuador with electricity from renewable sources. The renewable energies considered are: solar photovoltaic, wind, geothermal and hydropower. The information about their potential is based on maps of solar and wind resources, geothermal surveys, as well as estimates on mini-hydro and spilled turbinable energy from hydroelectric plants with reservoir. The amount of H 2 is obtained by considering a PEM electrolizer, with an efficiency of 75%, reaching a production of 4.55 × 10 8 kg/year in a likely scenario. Two different uses of H 2 are presented: 1) automotive transportation, replacing gasoline and diesel and, 2) rural energy, replacing firewood for cooking in rural households in the country. As a result, H 2 is able to replace 65% and 44% of the volumes of imported gasoline and diesel, respectively and the overall replacement of gasoline in 9 out of 23 provinces. Also, it is possible the total replacement of firewood in rural households in 20 provinces, and, under certain conditions, the H 2 surplus could be used to completely cover the electricity needs in the same rural households in 20 provinces. It is concluded that, there are certain opportunities in Ecuador to include H 2 in its energy matrix, contributing to improve the supply of secondary energy, raising the life quality in rural areas, mitigation of environmental pollution and strengthening the national economy. All this makes necessary to conduct more detailed technical and economic studies.