What is hydrogen energy all about? Unlike other renewable sources, this 'newer' or less known about energy source can be difficult to explain or visualise. After all, it is essentially a clean chemical energy.
Hydrogen when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it a great fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in homes, for portable power, and in many other storage solutions.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to store, move, and deliver energy produced from other sources.
Energia Group have two key project sites whereby we are looking to produce hydrogen energy.
Long Mountain Windfarm, Co. Antrim
Energia is constructing a pilot hydrogen production compound on site to provide a sustainable energy solution for heat, power and fuel through electrolysis.* Long Mountain Windfarm will be able to produce hydrogen through wind generation, which would normally be curtailed (when electricity produced through wind exceeds demand).
This pilot scheme is funded by Interreg North West Europe and forms part of a wider programme, called GENCOMM (GENerating energy secure COMMunities through Smart Renewable Hydrogen). The project website can be viewed online at www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/gencomm-generating-energy-secure-communities/
(*EU Journal NIH2-003: Energia engineering services will support development until final commissioning and operational training of hydrogen supply system, consisting of an electrolyser and hydrogen compression system and associated balance of plant works.
Rathsherry Windfarm, Co. Antrim
Further to Energia Group's Long Mountain hydrogen project, Energia Group is developing plans for a renewable hydrogen production compound on Rathsherry Windfarm. This will be our second hydrogen development, following on from our pilot project at Long Mountain Windfarm, near Rasharkin, which is funded by Interreg North West Europe and forms part of the GenCommm programme (GENerating energy secure COMMunities through Smart Renewable Hydrogen).
The aim is to produce a sustainable energy solution for heat, power and fuel through electrolysis*, using water from a borehole on site.
Rathsherry Windfarm will be able to produce green hydrogen through wind generation, which would normally be curtailed during periods of low electricity demand.
The proposed development will be located beside the existing Rathsherry substation with access via the wind farm main entrance. The fenced compound will comprise a transformer and seven container units - similar in size and appearance to shipping containers.
We are at an early stage of development and will ensure residents are kept updated and informed on the planning process before any construction work takes place on site.
(*Energia engineering services will support development through planning and construction until final commissioning and operational training of hydrogen supply system, consisting of an electrolyser and hydrogen compression system and associated balance of plant works.
Powering zero-emission public transport
In January 2020, Energia Group announced exciting plans to partner and work to transform the transport industry in Northern Ireland. Read more on that news here.
Making the announcement in January 2020, Energia Group Chief Executive, Ian Thom, said: “Working with our subsidiary in Northern Ireland, Power NI, we are developing a number of solutions which will help facilitate the transition of all segments of the transport sector to help meet climate change and air quality standards.”
You can download a copy of our renewable hydrogen brochure here.
