NREL Identifies Ideal US Coastlines for Offshore Wind-to-Hydrogen Systems
Key Ideas
  • Offshore wind-generated hydrogen could be economically viable along the US Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico due to strong winds and shallow waters.
  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study analyzed the techno-economics of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems in various coastal areas.
  • Combining offshore wind and clean hydrogen production has the potential to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors and reduce carbon-intensive methods.
  • Continued investment and research in system optimization could lead to cost reductions and further advancements in renewable energy technologies.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers have identified promising locations off the US coastlines, particularly along the US Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, for the implementation of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems. The study emphasizes that areas with shallow waters and strong winds are economically advantageous for producing clean hydrogen through offshore wind turbines. By using an electrolyzer powered by renewable energy sources, the aim is to achieve the US Department of Energy's (DOE) goal of producing low-cost clean hydrogen, thus reducing carbon-intensive methods. The researchers at NREL evaluated two scenarios for generating clean hydrogen using offshore wind. One scenario involved transmitting electricity from offshore wind plants to onshore sites for electrolysis, while the other scenario focused on splitting hydrogen from desalinated seawater at the offshore wind plant site. The study highlighted that by 2030, policy incentives and fixed-bottom offshore wind with onshore electrolysis could potentially enable the production of hydrogen for less than $2 per kilogram. The research further explores the technical challenges of integrating offshore wind farms with electrolyzers for bulk energy production, emphasizing the need for innovative configurations and significant ancillary equipment. Additionally, the study identifies specific coastal areas like the Gulf of Mexico and New York Bight as ideal sites due to shallow waters, abundant wind resources, and proximity to infrastructure. In conclusion, the combination of offshore wind and clean hydrogen production has the potential to advance renewable energy technologies, decarbonize sectors that are challenging to electrify, and contribute to achieving cost-competitive clean hydrogen production. Continued investment in system optimization and technology research is crucial for realizing further advancements and cost reductions in offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems.
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