Feasibility of green Hydrogen production in Ecuador

Abstract

This research focuses on the feasibility analysis of green hydrogen production by electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy sources in Ecuador. The potential electrical generation of 3 renewable energy sources (solar photovoltaic, wind and hydroelectric) were evaluated, using information obtained from the solar and wind atlas of Ecuador, as well as evaluations of the available energy from hydroelectric plants. Consequently, the production potential of hydrogen from electrolysis was estimated, considering for the process a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEM), obtaining a total theoretical production of hydrogen equivalent to  kg H₂/year. Finally, the benefits of the hydrogen implementation as an energy vector in changing the energy matrix, the economy and the environment of Ecuador were examined, concluding that Ecuador has great potential for the inclusion of hydrogen technology in several strategic sectors.