The role of hydrogen in the energy supply of isolated and arctic territories

In today’s world, one of the central challenges is to create a reliable and sustainable energy system that can meet the needs of remote and hard-to-reach regions. Russia’s unique feature is its vast territories with harsh climatic conditions, such as the Arctic and other northern regions, where securing energy resources presents a significant challenge. Until now, traditional fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal have been the primary source of energy, often transported from distant locations. However, the high cost of transportation and environmental impact have raised concerns about the need for alternative solutions. The article is devoted to the actual problem of energy supply in remote and Arctic territories, which are traditionally dependent on expensive imported fuel for the operation of energy facilities. The study examines the possibility of transition to local intelligent energy systems that operate autonomously. The purpose of the study is to assess the role of hydrogen as a key element for stabilizing and accumulating energy in conditions of stochastic generation of renewable energy. The article analyzes the features of the functioning of solar and wind power plants in conditions of stochastic electricity generation. Despite the high wind potential of the Arctic region (average speeds exceed the minimum permissible speeds of 5-6 m/s) and the presence of solar insolation, their instability and intermittency require the creation of energy stabilization and storage systems. Static methods, such as the two-parameter Weibull distribution, are used to assess the wind energy potential. This method allows for the prediction of wind energy production and the determination of the specific power of the wind flow. The article discusses two concepts for creating a local smart energy system based on hydrogen fuel using the Power-to-Gas principle.

Hydrogen fuel produced by electrolysis using renewable energy sources acts as a universal energy carrier. To assess the effectiveness of the LIES, the article provides a comparative analysis of electrolysis technologies, highlighting their advantages and applicability. Two fundamental schemes for the operation of the LIES are explored using mathematical modeling. The first scheme involves hybrid generation of electricity from renewable sources, with some of the electricity being used to produce hydrogen, which is then burned in a gas turbine. The second scheme is one in which all the energy from renewable sources is used to generate hydrogen for combustion in a gas turbine plant. The simulation was performed using the AC GRET software package, using the NK-16 gas turbine as an example, which has been adapted to run on hydrogen fuel. The required renewable energy capacity for each scheme, as well as the operating characteristics of the gas turbine, have been determined.

The integration of hydrogen technologies with renewable energy sources and gas turbine plants is a promising and economically viable solution for creating sustainable, autonomous, and low-carbon energy systems in the Arctic and isolated territories. The implementation of local hydrogen-powered smart energy systems will reduce dependence on expensive imported fuel, minimize harmful emissions, and ensure reliable energy supply to remote facilities.

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