Hydrogen from Hydropower in Ecuador: Use and impacts in the transport sector.

 

Authors
Posso Rivera, Fausto Ren?
Format
Article
Status
publishedVersion
Description

This paper estimates the potential for hydrogen production via electrolysis from hydropower coming from spilled turbinable energy of the hydroelectric plants of Ecuador. As a case study, the use of hydrogen in fuel cell-powered vehicles in public transportation in Cuenca city is analyzed. The technical and economic analysis determine the size of the electrolytic plant as well as the cost of hydrogen production, valued at 1.77 US$/kg in the best-case scenario. When compared to the price at which the State buys diesel in the international market, the results show that the cost of hydrogen is only 0.64 times the cost of diesel. In addition, the favorable impact of hydrogen penetration is calculated from both environmental and economic points of view. This study concludes that hydrogen production from untapped hydropower and its use in Cuenca's urban transport is a niche opportunity for leading the country towards a Hydrogen Economy.
Universidad de Cuenca
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319915023988

Publication Year
2015
Language
eng
Topic
SPILLED TURBINABLE ENERGY
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
H2-FC BUSES
COST MODEL
Repository
Repositorio SENESCYT
Get full text
http://repositorio.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/handle/28000/3150
Rights
openAccess
License
restrictedAccess