Potencial de produção de hidrogênio verde no Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

This work presents a detailed analysis of the potential for green hydrogen (H2V) production in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, using photovoltaic solar energy as the primary source. The investigation is based on data provided by the Solar Atlas of Rio Grande do Sul, which details the average annual photovoltaic productivity of both urban and non-urban suitable areas. With the growing demand for renewable energy sources and the urgent need to mitigate climate change, the study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of green hydrogen production, considering different types of electrolyzers: PEMEL, ALEL, and AEMEL. The adopted methodology includes analyzing solar productivity across various mesoregions of the state, integrating factors such as the occupancy rate of suitable areas and the efficiency of the electrolyzers. In addition to presenting detailed calculations and production estimates, the study discusses the environmental impacts and benefits in terms of climate change mitigation. Using the energy conversion equation, hydrogen production potentials were calculated for each region, resulting in values that demonstrate the feasibility of implementing such systems on a large scale. The results indicated that Rio Grande do Sul has a theoretical solar energy generation potential of approximately 1700 TWh/year, considering the total suitable area for generation, which could be converted into H2V production. The analysis showed that by using the PEMEL-type electrolyzer, production could reach up to 42.3 million tons of H2V per year, potentially resulting in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, contributing to energy sustainability and the achievement of decarbonization goals. This work concludes that H2V production in Rio Grande do Sul is technically feasible and environmentally beneficial, highlighting the need for investments in infrastructure and public policies that encourage the use of renewable energy and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The research offers a substantial contribution to the field of energy engineering.