Combined production of electricity and hydrogen from solar energy and its use in the wine sector

Abstract

In the present research, the energy demanded by the wastewater treatment plant of a winery and the pumping station of the irrigation system of a vineyard is supplied by a stand-alone renewable energy system formed by three photovoltaic arrays connected to a microgrid. A relatively small battery maintains the stability and quality of the energy supply acting as a short-term energy storage. Hydrogen is generated in a production and refueling plant specifically designed for this project, and it is eventually used in a plug-in BEV properly modified as a hybrid vehicle by adding a PEM fuel cell. On the one hand, the technical and economic feasibility of the on-site electricity production for the winery and vineyard, compared to the commercial electricity from the grid and diesel gensets, is demonstrated. On the other hand, the diesel savings by the hydrogen generated on site are assessed. The electricity (72 MWh) and hydrogen (1214 m3) produced in the first year have saved the emission of around 27 tons of equivalent CO2.