Recently opened by FURNAS, the plant for research on green hydrogen generation at the Itumbiara power plant in the state of Minas Gerais is entering a new phase.
According to the business, the first study examining the synergy of hydropower and solar energy sources with seasonal and intermittent energy storage in hydrogen systems should be completed this month.
As a reminder, Eletrobras FURNAS started a plant for studying green hydrogen generation in late December. With a R$ 45 million investment, the goal is to obtain expertise for the entire Brazilian electric sector and contribute to the country’s energy matrix transition. The primary purpose of the research is to evaluate the storage and integration of seasonal and intermittent energy sources into the National Interconnected System (SIN). Along with this report, you may discover more about this venture in the HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO section.
The system in Itumbiara is powered by solar energy harvested by a photovoltaic system that feeds an electrolyzer. Through a physical-chemical reaction with water, this electrolyzer generates hydrogen. The hydrogen is stored as a gas in a tank erected at the plant with a capacity of 900 m3 at 27 bar. Finally, a fuel cell is employed to transform the hydrogen’s chemical energy to electrical energy.
