Green hydrogen production potential of Canada with solar energy

Abstract

There is an urgent need for countries to study their green hydrogen production potentials using renewable energy resources and develop strategic plans. In this regard, this particular study performs a comprehensive study for Canada to consider its solar energy resources for electrolysis of water for hydrogen production using actual and location-based data. The potentials of solar energy through both onshore and offshore applications are considered and evaluated in the context of green hydrogen production. To assess the potential for green hydrogen generation, this study considers the utilization of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline type solar cells. A potential for the generation of green hydrogen is found after analyzing the solar intensity of each of Canada's 13 provinces. Based on the comprehensive analyses and calculations performed, it is found that Canada possesses a total capacity for green hydrogen generation amounting to 205.69 Mt, 201.12 Mt, and 211.17 Mt, based on alkaline, proton exchange membrane, and anion exchange membrane electrolyser, respectively derived from both onshore and offshore solar energy sources. Among 13 provinces and territories of Canada, the green hydrogen production potentials are found to be 0.34, 1.6, 2.13, 9.16, 11.07, 12.61, 17.81, 19.01, 19.75, 20.11, 25.62, 29.94, and 39.54 Mt, for Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut, British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec accordingly.