The potential and economic viability of hydrogen production from the use of hydroelectric and wind farms surplus energy in Brazil: A national and pioneering analysis

Energy security is an issue at stake in governments all over the world, and also in Brazil. Although the country's energetic matrix is largely based on hydropower sources, the need for diversification is increasingly needed. The possibility of hybrids between hydropower and wind power for hydrogen production emerges as a clean alternative source for energy security. In high -throughput seasons, excess energy could be used to produce hydrogen, which could supply shortages of energy. This study shows the potential for producing hydrogen in Brazil, using excess energy from hydroelectric and wind farms. Taking into account one hour per day of surplus energy production, it would be possible to generate 6.50E+09 Nm(3).y(-1) of H-2. On the other hand, considering two and three hours, the H-2 generation would be equal to 1.30E+10 Nm(3).y(-1) and 2.00E+10 Nm(3).y(-1), respectively. This study calculated the economic viability for hydrogen production, at a cost of 0.303 USD.kWh(-1), a higher cost if compared to that of the wind and hydroelectric plants. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.