Wind-to-hydrogen production potential for selected sites in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of wind energy potential for Hydrogen production under local conditions of Pakistan from the design, development and practical implementation perspectives. Simulations were performed for three sites - Bahawalpur, Sanghar and Gwadar using actual wind speed site data, recorded between 2016 and 2018, at intervals of 10 minute. For the selected sites, wind resource assessment was performed using the Weibull distribution function parameters, energy and wind-power density calculations at hub heights of 20m, 40m, 60m and 80m of the wind turbines. It was observed that Sanghar is the most suitable site for wind-to-Hydrogen production potential with power and energy density of 305.86W/m{2} and 2665.81kWh/m{2} , respectively. From the implementation perspective, the Nordex N90/2500 wind turbine at an 80m hub height was found to be beneficial for Sanghar with a cost of energy of 35.21/MWh (0.035/kWh). The cost of Hydrogen using an electrolyzer for 7-year long-term investment was 2.29 k/ton using Nordex N90/2500 turbine. Based on the available power density and land area, a general scheme for production of Hydrogen using electrolysis can be implemented with possibility of installation and commissioning of wind farms.