Morocco power developer, Nareva and GE Vernova’s (NYSE: GE) Gas Power business have joined forces to convert a thermal power plant in the Western Sahara desert to green hydrogen.
The two companies and Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), which owns the plant, made the announcement on Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding to start the processing leading to converting the existing 99 megawatt (MW) Laayoune thermal power plant.
The MOU will also include technical and economic evaluation studies to explore options related to the production, storage and supply of green hydrogen for the plant.
Additionally, GE Vernova plans to convert one of its heavy-duty gas turbines to run on hydrogen. The partners will conduct a study to test solution for delivering 100 per cent hydrogen to the gas turbine during peak demand periods.
Nareva’s Laayoune wind farm will produce the green hydrogen for the converted gas turbine. They expect to complete the study in two years. Depending on the results, the pilot project may pave the way for fully integrating the gas turbines with green hydrogen. This would work towards achieving complete decarbonization of the power plant.
“This agreement serves as an important milestone in paving the way to accelerate the integration of hydrogen in the national energy mix, help the country become less reliant on conventional power, and reduce carbon emissions associated with power generation activities,” Abderrahim El Hafidi, the chief executive of ONEE, said.
According to El Hafidi, the North African country operates 4,672 MW of renewable energy capacity. It is currently developing and constructing renewable projects that surpass 5 GW.
Read more: Government of India to subsidize green hydrogen production
Read more: Finnish experts make electrofuel from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide
New plant works into Kingdom of Morocco green plan
The Kingdom of Morocco aims to actively create an economic and industrial sector centered around green molecules. This initiative seeks to consolidate Morocco’s energy transition by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting decarbonization efforts in partner countries.
The objective is to leverage green hydrogen production to boost the economy and enhance energy security.
The government envisions that green hydrogen production will bring added value to renewable electricity production, especially by transforming it into products with higher energy density. The potential demand in significant economies and markets like Europe represents an opportunity for exporting green energy. Establishing a national industry centered on green hydrogen also aims to replace ammonia imports with locally produced resources.
Green hydrogen is a versatile and sustainable energy carrier produced through a process known as electrolysis.
Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels, green hydrogen is generated by using renewable energy sources. Companies use include wind, solar, or hydropower to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This process produces hydrogen gas without releasing harmful greenhouse gases or carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly and carbon-neutral energy source.
Green hydrogen can be used in various sectors, including industry, transportation, and power generation.
Green hydrogen is a key element in the low-carbon transition
Its versatility and potential to replace fossil fuels in various applications make it a key element in global efforts to achieve a low-carbon economy and transition to a greener energy system.
For example, Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) actively develops hydrogen fuel cell systems to replace conventional batteries in electrically powered equipment and vehicles.
Plug Power’s GenDrive system integrates fuel cells manufactured in tandem with Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLDP). It incorporates a hydrogen storage system, enabling the system to “recharge” within minutes.
Meanwhile, Ballard actively works to accelerate the adoption of this innovative technology. The company develops and manufactures PEM fuel cell products that generate electrical energy by combining hydrogen and air. Ballard also designs its products for heavy-duty trucks, buses, trains, marine applications, and backup power storage.
Ballard’s 200-kilowatt fuel cell modules are in on the world’s first hydrogen powered ferry in Norway.
.
