Evaluating the wind energy potential for hydrogen production: A case study

In this paper, the potential of wind energy development for the purpose of hydrogen production in the Fars province of Iran is investigated. To achieve this, wind speeds at 10 m, 30 m and 40 m heights and wind direction at 30 m and 37.5 m recorded in 10 min intervals for the period of one year for four cities of Abadeh, Juyom, Eqleed, and Marvdasht are utilized. Wind energy characteristics have been statistically analyzed to determine the potential of wind power to generate hydrogen in the examined cities. It is found that city of Abadeh has better potential for harnessing wind energy than other cities. Statistical analysis of Abadeh at 40 m height indicates the nominal wind speed of 7.47 m/s which generates maximum energy with the annual power density of 220 W/m(2). The performances of four different large-scale wind turbines for producing wind power in Abadeh are evaluated. It is found that hydrogen from wind energy in Abadeh using a small hydrogen producing unit would fuel approximately 22 cars per week if a EWT Direct wind 52/900 model wind turbine to be used. Copyright (C) 2016, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.