Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Hybrid Solar-Geothermal System Produces Green Hydrogen
Key Ideas
- A team from Pandit Deendayal Energy University in India successfully demonstrated a novel hybrid solar-geothermal system that produces green hydrogen.
- The system, based on an Organic Rankine Cycle, efficiently transforms thermal energy into electricity, supporting various operations while producing hydrogen at a rate of 2,100 ml per minute.
- This initiative was recognized as a top project at the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024, highlighting its commercial potential and contribution to advancing renewable energy technologies.
- The integration of geothermal and solar resources in this project marks a significant advancement in renewable energy systems, enabling continuous power generation and 24x7 electricity production.
A team from the Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Energy at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Unai, Navsari, India, has successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking hybrid solar-geothermal system that produces green hydrogen. This initiative, showcased at the Geothermal Park in Unai, involves the use of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to combine hybrid solar and geothermal resources for continuous power generation and hydrogen production. The ORC system operates at lower pressures and slower turbine speeds, minimizing erosion and wear of components while improving efficiency. The system can transform thermal energy into about 150KW of electricity, with a portion utilized by an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen at a rate of 2,100 ml per minute. The remaining electricity supports various operations, showcasing the system's versatility. The success of this pilot project was acknowledged at the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024 in the Industry-Academia Collaboration category, emphasizing its commercial potential and innovative approach to renewable energy. Professor Anirbid Sircar, head of the center, highlighted the significance of integrating geothermal and solar resources, as it enables 24x7 electricity generation and represents a significant advancement in renewable energy systems. This project not only demonstrates the feasibility of green hydrogen production but also paves the way for future developments in sustainable energy solutions.