Wind to Hydrogen: A Case Study in Aqaba Gulf

Onshore wind farms present a highly promising solution for hydrogen production to boost renewable energy integration, support decarbonization, and enhance energy security. This study offers a detailed numerical model to evaluate the potential for hydrogen production using onshore wind power in an arid coastal community located in the southern region of the Aqaba Gulf, Saudi Arabia. The proposed model emulates formulas to determine electrolyzer plant sizing, wind output power, and green hydrogen production. The goal is to develop an optimal hydrogen production plant using high wind resources, whilst assessing its economic viability, reducing production costs, and minimizing CO2 emissions. The results indicate that the optimal Onshore Wind-Hydrogen System (OWHS) comprises 26 wind turbines (WTs), each with a rated capacity of 6.15 MW, alongside Alkaline Electrolyzers with a total capacity of 120 MW and a hydrogen storage capacity of 300 tonnes. The subsidiary electricity needs and hydrogen demand are efficiently met with 160 MW of wind generation capacity, with minimal capacity shortages. The alkaline electrolyzers used have a total rated capacity of 120 MW and can operate for 7,335 hours per year, producing 8,214,152 kg of green hydrogen annually. The OWHS can produce hydrogen at a cost of 5.26 $/kg, which aligns with the global range of 4$ to 6$ per kilogram. Additionally, the system achieves CO2 mitigation of 3,344 metric tons, resulting in a net carbon credit value of 133.75$. The obtained outcomes highlight the potential advantages and cost savings of incorporating green hydrogen production into Aqaba Gulf wind projects for Saudi Arabia’s coastal community.