CanarHy - Canary renewables & hydrogen project - Towards a clean and sustainable energy system in the Canary Islands - Hydrogen as a vector

Abstract

The objective of project CanarHy is to design a self-sufficient system obtaining its primary energy from wind turbines and capable of generating electricity and producing heat and drinking water. Such a system would make use of the characteristics of hydrogen as a fuel and as an energy storage medium. During peak demand times, the energy produced will enter the general electricity grid. When demand falls, or whenever the supply exceeds the electricity demand, the excess energy will be converted into hydrogen in an electrolyzer The fuel thus produced will be stored in a fuel cell and used to meet the electricity demand whenever the latter exceeds the wind energy supply. The modus operandi is such that the system could power an isolated area instead of connecting to a conventional grid. Additionally, the system will include a Reverse Osmosis seawater desalination plant whose energy supply will be ensured by the complementarity of the wind turbines and hydrogen storage components. The system thus comprises a unique double energy storage system and would provide an excellent and innovative solution to the lack of both conventional energy and water resources suffered by the Canary Islands and similarly isolated areas. The budget of the project is of the order of 12 million ECU and will be financed by the Regional Authorities and the European Commission.