Towards The Hydrogen Economy: Estimation of green hydrogen production potential and the impact of its uses in Ecuador as a case study

Abstract

The estimation of the green hydrogen (H2) production potential represents the initial stage on the road to integrating the Hydrogen Economy into the energy systems of a country or region. This article has two purposes; the first focuses on identifying and analyzing studies on the amount of green H2 obtainable in countries and regions across the globe. In total, 64 studies in 29 countries are reported, of which the geographical distribution of the estimates of green H2 potential is obtained. Additionally, the most widely used renewable energy sources and the conversion technologies favored for their production were identified. The Americas and Argentina were the continents and the country, respectively, with the largest number of studies. At the same time, solar photovoltaic (PV) and electrolysis are the most studied production methods. The second purpose is to quantify the total potential of green H2 in the Republic of Ecuador and explore its uses as an energy vector and chemical input in niches of opportunity detected from the analysis of its energy balance. In this regard, the total potential of green H2 in Ecuador of 4.38 × 108 tons/year is obtained, being the production of electrolytic H2 with PV electricity the one with the highest contribution. The amount of H2 available satisfies, in excess, the demand for the proposed uses: as fuel and chemical input. These results contribute to the knowledge of the object of study by making visible the interest of the countries in having such estimates and identifying the most attractive production route in the first place, and secondly, providing essential elements for the development of more detailed research and energy planning on the gradual incorporation of the Hydrogen Economy in Ecuador.