Hydrogen for a sustainable tomorrow: Evaluating the financial and technical dimensions of green hydrogen production in South Africa — A case study in Ethekwini muncipality

Abstract

Green hydrogen has emerged as a prominent approach in an effort to mitigate global warming. Given the urgency of addressing the climate change crisis and mitigating global warming, there is an increasing emphasis on curtailing carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved through the production of green hydrogen. While there are various renewable power supply options capable of being utilized for producing green hydrogen, this research focuses solely on offshore wind, photovoltaics (PV), and a hybrid solution due to eThekwini's perceived abundance of solar radiation and extensive coastlines with ample wind resources, making it highly conducive to renewable energy generation. This paper initially introduces the concept of Green Hydrogen production and outlines the methodology employed to assess the viability of hydrogen production from various potential sources. Additionally, the energy requirements for a typical hydrogen plant are determined, along with a brief discussion on potential sites. In this case study, an energy yield assessment was conducted for PV, offshore wind, and a proposed hybrid model to determine the most beneficial source and identify any technical issues that may arise from the utilization of the considered power supplies. Finally, a high-level financial assessment assessing the project's financial viability is described.