Sahara Wind

1
Hydrogen fuelling sustainability of energy
systems, regional integration and development
the Sahara Wind Project Complementary to Sahara
Wind Energy Development Project -Phase 1- NATO
Advanced Research Workshop Assessment of Hydrogen
Energy for Sustainable Development Energy
Environmental Security Istanbul Turkey, August
7-10th 2006
2
Trends to 2030 report of the European
Commission Transport and Energy Previsions of
installed electric generating capacities in Europe
3
UNDP/GEF - Sahara Wind Project 400 MW-5000
MW/HVDC extensions
HVDC
North Atlantic Trade Winds
4
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Electricity
High Voltage Line technologies High Voltage
Direct Current (HVDC) versus High Voltage
Alternating Current (HVAC)
Left 3,000 MW HVDC (Pacific DC Intertie, PDCI)
Right 300 MW HVAC Near Bishop,
California USA
5
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Technical
Limitations of Wind Energy Integration

• Technical Limits of Wind Power Penetration Within
  Typical Electricity Grid System (industrialized
  countries examples)
• Denmark (Wind World Leader)
• Good Available Wind Resource
• Wind Energy only 20-25 of Overall Electricity
  Consumption
• 0 Growth, no new capacity added in 2005
• 2010 Target objectives reached, how to go
  beyond?...
• Interconnected grid with Germany Sweden already
  exceeds capacity
• Germany with 120 GW generation capacity
  subsequent grid size, encounters similar
  problems with Wind Power Integration Grid
  Stabilization (18 GW)
• generation intermittency, dispatching, power
  margins, reactive compensation, voltage,
  frequency regulation, flickers, harmonics, and
  all other effects create significant challenges.
• Problems are more acute in weaker grid
  conditions
• (handling wind energy fluxes with no
  interconnection possibilities)

6
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Wind
Energy Industrial integration schemes

• Case study Egypt ( an example to follow?)
• Zafarana Public Utility Wind farm, extension
  projects countries of origin
• 60 MW Denmark (1998-2003)
• 80 MW Germany (2002-2004)
• 85 MW Spain (2005-2006?)
• 120 MW Japan (2006-2007?)
• others
• Results
• 0.. or very little integration
• Costly in maintenance, technicians have to come
  from all these countries..
• Grid will soon saturate to further Wind
  developments
• Should other African countries follow same model?
• Export credit Development Aid (Gvt loans or
  gifts) vs Developers (their jobs)!
• Lack of awareness or comprehension of whats at
  stake?
• Technology gap, grid stability issues, small
  window of opportunity
• Lack of interest, developed countries domestic
  agendas, other issues...

7
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
to Enhance prospects of Wind Power in Sahara
region

• Hydrogen Economy has Different Approach
• Needs to be comprehensive
• Holistic approach
• Broad ranging
• Integrated
• Common Issues with Solution to Common Problem
• Developing Countries with Large Renewable Energy
  Potential are in the Critical Paths of Hydrogen
  Energy Developments
• gtWe Need to Start there to Develop a
  Carbon-free Hydrogen Economy!

• Conventional Wind Power Grid Absorption Capacity
  in Saharan Region
• Total Electric Generating Capacities Morocco
  4500 MW (120 MW South), Mauritania 120 MW,
  Senegal 240 MW.
• Wind Energy that can be installed at 20 of total
  Grid Capacity
• Morocco 120 MW_at_20 24 MW up to 500 MW
  (Maximum)
• Mauritania 120 MW_at_20 24 MW (or 10 -15 Wind
  turbines)
• Senegal 240 MW_at_20 48 MW (or 20-30 Wind
  turbines)

8
UNDP/GEF - Sahara Wind Project

• UNDP/GEF - Sahara Wind Phase 1 400-500 MW on
  existing grid
• Supported by UNDP/GEF, WB, ADB

• Extensions through HVDC Technologies
• Limited losses per kWh (6 over 1300 Km
  500kV 5GW)

• Over 80 GW, in 90 Projects worldwide (Brazil,
  India, China, Canada...)

• Euro-Mediterranean electricity market (Iberian)
  in full growth/expansion

• Spain Portugal (EU Members) have ratified
  Kyoto Protocol
• Current CGH emissions 42 above Kyoto targets,
  highest in EU

• Impressive Wind catchment's area
• -Average wind speed 8m/s
• (measured at 9m height)
• -Size of area (Saharan coast)
• at least 3000 km length
• (through Mauritania, Senegal)

HVDC
North Atlantic Trade Winds
9
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Wind
Energy Hydrogen Economy

• The Trade Winds that blow along the Atlantic
  coast from Morocco to Senegal represent the
  largest and most productive wind potential
  available on earth.
• Because of the erratic nature of winds this
  energy cannot be integrated locally on any
  significant scale unless far ranging, more
  advanced energy technologies are considered.
• Integrating the production of hydrogen as an
  energy carrier utilizing regional electricity
  market opportunities and its vast renewable
  energy potential provides an ideal testing ground
  for applying the latest research and
  technological breakthroughs in the development of
  a renewable driven hydrogen economy.
• Hydrogen is scalable, and can be worked into
  modules, small medium and large integrated
  applications.
• Any applied hydrogen research should reinforce a
  complementary vision in handling intermittent
  sources of energy (wind) both in decentralized
  productions of energy as well as in massive
  centralized large scale Wind/HVDC transfer
  infrastructures.

10
Sahara Wind Farm
ATLANTIC OCEAN
SEBKHA-TAH Trough 50 meters below sea level
UNIDO/ICHET - Sahara Wind-H2 Demo
Project UNDP/GEF - Sahara Wind Phase 1 400-500 MW
11
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
and capacity Building
Such wind/hydrogen park would be installed in a
manner that the total rating of the installed
wind capacity would be much larger than the
available grid capacity is able to absorb. A
wind farm designed to produce hydrogen should not
mobilize any further investments into transformer
stations and secure grid capacities, when only a
fraction of its global output is expected to be
fed into the grid. Hence, this would result in
large buffered power generating sources which,
connected to a weak grid, provide significant
energy handling capabilities likely to enhance
the systems stability and reliability. Such
approach, even if it is internal to the wind
farm, enables a significant valorization of the
fluctuating wind energy resource in addition to
the use of complementary mechanisms such as power
conditioning schemes and other optimized transfer
infrastructures likely to be envisioned in the
Tarfaya region.
12
Sahara Wind-H2 Electrolysis Demo/Pilot Project
Integrated Sustainable Energy solutions in
Tarfaya, Morocco
Applications USA Markets (Energy Bill 2005)
Grid Optimization/upgrade HVDC Infrastructures
Hydrogen economy Integration of IPHE
Vision Europe Extension of Euro-Mediterranean
grids (HVDC) France, Germany Central EU
positions Energy diversification/ Security of
supply (Africa/EU) EU energy markets/integration
CO2 Emissions Constraints EU/Spain Sustainable
development CDM (Africa, Sub-Saharan region)
Systems Integration RD Themes Grid integration
Systems compatibility Fundamental Research
Transmission distribution DC- Electrolysis
Hydrogen HVDC - Electrolysis Hydrogen Coupling
Integration Decentralized Energy Isolated
applications Energy Access (1.6 Billion
people) Sustainable development Sahara/sub-Saharan

Hydrogen Production Feasibility Studies
Electrolyzer technologies Hydrogen Storage Fuel
Cells Coupling Integration
Electricity Generation Wind Turbines Controls
Systems Coupling Integration
Applications Sustainable Energy Systems Adapted
energy technologies Scalable applications,
modules Infrastructure development (Grid) Large
scale projects/integration Renewable energy
potential H2 Outreach, vision C-free H2 economy
Hydrogen end user markets Mining mineral refining
operations Phosphates processing derivatives
OCP Group (Ammonia, Cement, etc) Commercial
markets H2, O2 Air liquide, industries
etc.. Isolated Applications Sahara/Sub-Sahara
13
Sahara Wind-H2 Electrolysis Pilot Project In
Tarfaya, Morocco ----- Demonstration project /
Integrated Sustainable Energy solutions
Wind/Hydrogen electrolysis project Concept
Development Applications, Outreach, Project
Integration with Multilateral partnerships IPHE,
EU, UNIDO, IEA, REEEP, MEDREP, GEF, UNDP, USDOE

EU, IPHE, USDOE, UNIDO
Wind Turbine Integration coupling Control
strategies Other Partnerships..
Germany, DK
Hydrogen Production Evaluation-Studies
dimensioning Electrolyzers Hydrogen Storage Fuel
Cell NREL, CEA
NREL, CEA..
6 months
3 months
9 months
Timing
14
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project

• Hydrogen, the missing link?
• Hydrogen works in small remote applications as
  well as on a large Integrated Industrial Scale
• Sate of the art energy technologies Sustainable
  development
• Adapted Energy Systems
• Modular, Incremental Applications
• Market Integration
• Infrastructure development
• Integrating Large Project/ Transfer Possibilities
• Abundant Renewable Energy Resources
• Technological complementarities
• Research
• Grid Networks (TD - HVDC)
• Renewable Energies / Sustainable Energy Systems
• Integrated Electricity Hydrogen Production
• Carbon free Hydrogen vision, built on Renewables
  Optimization with help of Bilaterals France,
  Germany, US DoE, EU Commission, UN system, WB,
  GEF, IPHE, IEA

15
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Tarfaya,
Morocco Demo-Project / Applied Research for
Integrated Sustainable Energy Solutions

• Studies, applied research applications
• Characterization of wind turbines, electrolyzers
  and their coupling
• Hydrogen Production and electricity Generation
• Hydrogen as energy storage for weak grid
  decentralized applicationsgtSahara / Sub-Saharan
  region
• Integration with stand alone, and interconnected
  electric grid infrastructures
• Management/Optimization of electricity fluxes of
  wind power and wind power on larger grids
• Hydrogen is complementary to both remote
  decentralized or large scale energy firming
  applications, actually facilitating the
  transition from decentralized to centralized
  energy evacuation networks.
• Analysis expertise
• Wind Turbines
• Studies/Conception of wind turbines, assembly,
  manufacturing, wind energy flux handling
• Hydrogen Grid Integration
• Conception/integration/grid management,
  intermittent productivity and energy storage
• Hydrogen production, electrolysis medium,
  applications, integration, distribution, energy
  restitution, transfer and storage (in wind
  turbine towers, for non-energetic hydrogen
  end-uses, storage through nickel-hydrogen
  batteries), fuel cells, Simulations and
  operational synergies with electric conditioning
  schemes using Direct Current and High Voltage
  Direct Current Technologies associated with long
  distance transfer possibilities

16
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Wind-Hydrog
en Electrolysers types (Pressurized)
Norsk Hydro Electrolyzers 2 MW each
Norsk Hydro electrolyzer, KOH type 560 kW 130
Nm3 / hour at 450 psi (30 bar) Photo Norsk Hydro
Electrolysers
17
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
End User Markets

• Integrating Hydrogen into local/regional economy
• Hydrogen could be integrated to the regions main
  industries and export commodities namely in
  mining, phosphate processing and fertilizer
  industries (already big customers of
  electrolyzers worldwide).
• Phosphate Processing Industry (Morocco is Worlds
  Largest Exporter)
• Hydrogen would enable Morocco to develop and
  integrate its fertilizer industry most
  comprehensively, beyond the sole export of
  phosphate based fertilizers.
• Production of Ammonia (Stable H2 storage medium
  as well)
• Nitrogen based fertilizers NPK compounds
• With O2 from electrolysis recycling elimination
  of SO2 emissions
• Hydrogen in the Current Process of Phosphoric
  Acid Production, could enable a Joint Production
  of Clean Portland Cement, (without any CO2
  emissions).
• Portland Cement creates a significant added value
  (prices of Cement being generally linked to costs
  of energy).
• This will avoid the current dumping of over 12
  Million tons/year of phosphor-gypsum waste into
  the Atlantic Ocean (contaminating waters).

18
Sahara Wind Energy Development Integrated Large
Scale Wind-Hydrogen Production
Compressor less Wind-Electrolysis-Gaseous
Hydrogen GH2 Pipeline system Hydrogen Storage
GH2 Networks for Fuel Market at City gate
19
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project EU-North
Africa Hydrogen Gaseous Pipeline Network
North Atlantic Trade Winds
GH2 Pipeline 36 1500 km 500ltH2gt1500 psi 240 GWh
of H2 storage capacity 20 days 3000 MW Wind-H2
storage
20
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
and capacity Building
The introduction of hydrogen energy technologies
at an early stage, through regional applied
research projects will likely contribute to
establish and identify areas where the potential
breakthroughs can become significant in the
future. Involving domestic scientific
communities may contribute to develop newer,
wide-ranging approaches that may better integrate
the regions real potentials. The region disposes
of a qualified pool of University Professors,
Engineers and Scientists that currently lack
appropriate Research Infrastructures. Equipping
and networking the main research institutions in
Morocco and Mauritania with the financing of
Wind/Hydrogen/fuel cell test benches, is a first
step towards a successful, gradual introduction
of state-of-the-art energy technologies.
21
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
Development Strategy Capacity Building
Wind-electrolysis in Morocco and Mauritanias
(trade wind regions) can be duplicated on a large
scale and produce hydrogen at competitive costs.
Hydrogen from fossil fuel reforming represents
the vast majority of todays hydrogen production,
emitting six tons of CO2 per single ton of
Hydrogen in the process. It is therefore
important to differentiate hydrogen production
alternatives at an early stage (carbon and
non-carbon generated hydrogen) and encourage
countries with similar potentials to collaborate
and exchange expertise through excellence centers
located in Universities and Public Research
Centers.
22
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project NATO
Workshops on Security Related Issues Energy
Access
The Regions energy challenges are part of a
broader economic context pertaining to energy
access, resource limitations and sustainability
issues. Morocco has a 96 energy dependency from
fossil fuel imports absorbing most of the
Countrys export revenues. The case is very
similar in most sub-Saharan Countries that lack
critical energy resources to cover their most
basic needs. 1.6 Billion people do not have
access to Electricity Worldwide and in alarming
proportions in Africa, this situation is simply
not acceptable nor accepted! Fluxes of Illegal
Immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africans towards
Europe has become a security threat to the entire
region. Fixing Migrant Populations a critical
task Developing alternatives to handle the
economic consequences of high energy dependencies
or limited energy access which combined with
environmental challenges such as land
degradation, desertification and demographic
pressure on largely agricultural based societies
is of paramount importance as they do generate
economic distress.
23
NATO Workshop Security Related Issues Illegal
Immigration
Cayucos Boats carrying illegal immigrants off
the Canaries Islands Red Cross estimates over
1,300 immigrants drowned since January 2006. (as
a comparison 15 Deaths in the Ceuta fence
crossing incidents in 2005)
24
NATO Workshop Security Related Issues Illegal
Immigration Capacity building Economic
development
Cayucos fishing vessels in Sub-Saharan
Africa (Similar technology as Wind Turbine wood
epoxy blades)
25
Sahara Wind Energy Development Project Hydrogen
Energy Objectives Development Activities
On a more positive note, the development
activities that I described for Sahara Wind Inc.
are essential in evaluating the possible
utilization of hydrogen technologies to enhance
the critical uptake of renewable energy in the
weak grids infrastructures of the region. The
Sahara Wind-Hydrogen demo/pilot projects is
likely to be included into the International
Partnership for the Hydrogen Economys future
list of collaborative projects involving several
IPHE member countries, these activities could
also bridge hydrogen production technologies with
the needs of different countries, particularly
developing countries to determine how technology
transfer will be affected. Finally, the
objective of the project is to build capacity and
enable applied research to be conducted on
hydrogen energy technologies in both Morocco and
Mauritania, and stimulate wider regional
cooperation to support large scale production of
carbon free hydrogen from wind-electrolysis on an
unprecedented scale.
26
Aerial picture of coastline North of Tarfaya
Aerial picture of dry river (Oued) estuary North
of Tarfaya
Sparse vegetation around Tarfaya (Atriplex)
Inert Rocks in plains around Tarfaya
27
225 kV public ONE grid line heading North, 20 km
away from Tarfaya www.saharawind.com