"The
combined wind power and hydrogen facility on Utsira has become a globally
recognized landmark in the development of new energy systems based on hydrogen.
By continuing this project we hope to get even more experience and vital
knowledge about combining wind and hydrogen," says Ulf Hafseld, responsible
for business development in Hydro's unit for new energy.
The demonstration project on the
island Utsira off the coast of western Norway started operating in summer
2004 and was scheduled to run two years. Hydro and its partner Enercon
have now decided to extend the project until spring 2008. There is still
much valuable experience to gain, together with the need to test new components
and solutions for use on future facilities. Among other plans are testing
of new internally designed electrolyser technology at the facility.
“The Utsira project has provided
us lots of valuable experience in an area that the entire world is interested
in and where Hydro is at the forefront of development. We now want to make
some adjustments and try out new technological solutions to optimize the
facility,” says Ulfstad, business development manager in Hydro’s New Energy
unit.
Two wind turbines at the combined
wind and hydrogen plant on Utsira produce power for 10 households. Surplus
electricity is stored as chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. When
the wind doesn’t blow, a hydrogen motor and fuel cell convert the stored
hydrogen back into electricity. This way the two wind turbines can function
as a stable and secure source of power to the tiny island community, even
when it’s not windy.
“Since the Utsira project started
up in 2004, representatives from the energy industry, media and tourists
from around the world have visited. In 2004, the Utsira project won Platts
Global Energy Award for best project within renewable energy, a very high
distinction for all of us who work with energy,” says Hafseld.
The hydrogen on Utsira is produced
through the electrolysis process. Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen
to make electricity inside an electrolyser. The oxygen is released into
the atmosphere while the hydrogen is compressed and stored to make electricity
when the wind is still.
Enova, SFT and The Research Council
of Norway have supported the Utsira project.

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