A compact production plant model for green hydrogen production from medium temperature geothermal resources: A case study of the Van Lake-Zilan location

Abstract

Considering the abundance of renewable energy potential in Turkey, green hydrogen derived from renewable sources holds great promise as a fuel. This paper presents a model for obtaining green hydrogen from medium-temperature geothermal sources. In this model, the Zilan location in the Van province of Turkey was identified as a suitable site for electricity and hydrogen production from low or medium-temperature geothermal sources due to its significant geothermal and water resource potential. In this regard, the installed capacity of the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) geothermal power plant is determined by using Monte Carlo Simulation based on the characteristics of the geothermal well at this location, and subsequently, the hydrogen production performance has been evaluated by analyzing the water of Lake Van. According to the analysis results, Lake Van was found to be efficient for hydrogen production. Hydrogen production from Lake Van water was subsequently simulated using the electrolysis method with this ORC geothermal power plant. According to the findings of this model, the hourly hydrogen production potential at this location using a 1.4 MW ORC plant, based on 2022 data, was estimated to be 18.6 kg, which is projected to increase to 28 kg based on 2050 estimated data. In addition, the techno-economic analysis of this compact green hydrogen production process was conducted in the study. The production cost of 1 kg of hydrogen was calculated to be €4.91 in 2022, while it is expected to be €1.21 in 2050. These results indicate that ORC technology will become competitive in hydrogen production in the upcoming years.