Technical, economic, and CO2 emissions assessment of green hydrogen production from solar/wind energy: The case of Chile

Abstract

Chile has the potential to become a leading producer of green hydrogen because of its abundance of renewable energy sources. This study has developed a model that examines the costs of producing green hydrogen using a solar and wind hybrid energy system in four locations in Chile, and also evaluates the emissions produced. The model uses local solar and wind generation data to determine the optimal capacity of the on-site solar PV and wind subsystems and the electrolyzer. The results indicate that green hydrogen can be produced at competitive prices, ranging from US$2.09/kg to US$3.28/kg, with very low CO2 emissions of 1.06–1.57 kg CO2e/kg H2. Additionally, the study suggests that using the hybrid electrolysis plant for hydrogen production is less polluting than the steam methane reforming process, which is currently the most widely used method. These findings can be used as a model for the development of emission laws and regulations related to clean technologies as well as a possible indicator for the pricing of green hydrogen.