Viability of hydrogen production from a dedicated offshore wind farm-underground storage in the Irish Sea in 2030

Abstract

This paper presents a concept of hydrogen production (H2P) from a dedicated offshore wind farm (OWF) and stored underground. A new model is introduced to assess the viability of a fixed-bottom OWF in a potential offshore wind pipeline in the Irish Sea, where all costs are projected in 2030. It explains the need to develop market opportunities for the vast offshore wind potential in Ireland, to ascertain both decarbonisation and energy security in multiple sectors, where dedicated HP-OWFs are potential drivers. It reviews hydrogen storage methods and shows artificial underground salt caverns suitable to store hydrogen at large scales and long- terms. The OWF consists of 16×6.33MW turbines and proton exchange membrane electrolysers. The net present values and discounted payback periods (DPBs) are calculated at offloading periods of 2, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, and in good agreement, where the DPBs are 7.8, 8.6, 10.0, 12.1 and 20.3 years, respectively. Both economic indicators show that the H2P-OWF is profitable with the hydrogen price at 5/kg but marginal at 3/kg. Offloading at shorter periods of 2-15 days is more profitable. A seven-day offloading period requiring 120 ton storage capacity and compatible to the future tankers is recommended.