Study of pre-feasibility
Introduction
The province of Río Negro entrusted Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE) to carry out a pre-feasibility study to determine the potential of the territory for the generation of Green Hydrogen on a commercial scale.
Objective: determine the feasibility of the adaptation of Green Hydrogen in accordance with the strategies developing with low emissions for the long term plans by the Nacional Government, that point to reach a developed neutral carbon in 2050, through the National Plan of Adaptation and Mitigation.
Finally, the study is based on a strategic relationship between the Province and Fraunhofer to obtain funding and investment in projects for Green Hydrogen production plants for domestic consumption and subsequent export.
The study allowed:
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Define and quantify the renewable energy sources plausible to be associated to the production of Green Hydrogen, focusing on the excellent wind resource (one of the best in the world) which the Province has, especially in Cerro Policía due to its capacity to complement the Chocón hydroelectric power plant and others in the region.
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Define and quantify the available sites for Green Hydrogen production plants, according to their scale and target market.
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Determine and estimate the current demand for hydrogen.
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Evaluate the promotion instruments in force in Argentina.
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Evaluate the regulatory framework.
Development Opportunities
Wind and water resources
Wind resource
- Average wind speed in Rio Negro is 8.65 M/S, ideal to produce Green Hydrogen.
- The province is characterized by strong and permanent wind. The average wind speed is among the highest in the world.
- Average solar irradiation: can lead to more balanced energy production by supplementing wind energy over time.
Water resources
On the border with the province of Neuquén, the Limay River flows into the Black River (Rio Negro) near Cipoletti and from there it flows through the province of Río Negro to the Atlantic Ocean. Additional water resource: artificial open channel, 175 kim long, that takes water from the Rio Negro 40 km from the city of Coronel Belisle called 'Canal Pomona - San Antonio'
- Capacity: 980.000 m³ (500 l/s)
- Currently operating at 40% of its design capacity
- Destination is 38 km from Puerto San Antonio Este
HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Transporting electricity over existing power lines is cheaper than transporting hydrogen or water, which shows that it is more important to build the electrolysis plant near the water supply and hydrogen intake than near the wind farm. However, the power grid must also be able to handle large amounts of electricity.