LOCATIONAL BENEFITS & SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
When evaluating new power generation technologies – whether for your utility, your industrial park or municipality – there are dozens of considerations to take into account…. And RPW is here to work with you to sort through and weigh these considerations. We strive to be technology agnostic – meaning that we acknowledge that the H2PWR System may not be the most suitable for your situation… another generation solution may be better.
RPW is working to develop what we are calling a “H2PWR Toolkit” that will incorporate many of the topics and decision-trees discussed here for your benefit and to have as a reference. Plus, we recognize that there may be skillsets that your operators and maintenance crews will need to acquire to keep the H2PWR System operational; RPW is working to develop H2PWR Workforce Training Programs to meet those needs.
Size Matters
Power Required
The H2PWR Systems are planned to start at three smaller units: 250kW, 500kW and 1megawatt (MW). First, it is critical to determine the site’s power requirements. Is the power required on a dispatchable basis – or steady-state (24/7)? Until larger units can be produced, smaller units can be ganged together and can be incorporated with other generation systems, as needed
Space/Topography
Compared to other types of on-site generation, consider the physical space required. PV Solar, for example, takes approximately about five acres per megawatt. By contrast, a one megawatt H2PWR System would occupy the space of a cargo container. (plus switchgear).
FEEDSTOCK AND WATER REQUIREMENTS
We weigh such factors as the feedstock required and availability. If using any carbon-based feedstock, such as natural gas or propane, what is its proximity to where the generation equipment is to be commissioned? This in turn will determine the nature of the reforming equipment required on-site.
Also, when compared to a standard natural gas turbine, the H2PWR System is about 2 ½ times more fuel efficient – that is, our H2PWR “D.G. Dynamo” produces the same amount power using only about 40% of the feedstock of the typical natural gas turbine.
Additionally, the on-site steam reforming processes involved do require a
limited amount of water; the volume varies with the type of reforming
equipment and the size of the H2PWR System. But it is an operational
requirement.
(For more info, contact RPW at info@resilientpowerworks.com)
BASELOAD (Steady-State) VS. INTERMITTENT POWER
Does your site require constant, reliable power? The H2PWR System can provide reliable and clean baseload power. It can operate in a continuous or “steady-state” capacity, 24/7. Alternately, it can provide power “as needed” (“dispatchable”) and ramp-up rapidly in a microgrid mode.
By contrast, PV solar – especially without batteries – is intermittent, not 24/7. (And PV Solar does require a significant amount of land with unimpeded sunlight, night and day, both winter and summer-long.)
This is a critical consideration to make for each application. And it is possible to integrate the H2PWR System with intermittent sources if need be.
Other Major Considerations We Weigh in the Power Selection Process:
Safety
Inherently a major issue that any new technology faces is safety. Hydrogen has long been associated with volatility. That is because it is most often stored at extremely high-pressure. However, the H2PWR System produces and uses its own hydrogen on-site; it can produce hydrogen essentially on-demand and at only 50 psi (about the same pressure as an automobile tire).
Environmental Benefits
With the H2PWR Systems, even when the hydrogen feedstock is Natural Gas (utilizing a NG Reformer), the resulting electric (and thermal) energy produced has less than 1/100th of the CO2 byproduct than energy produced by a coal-burning plant.
Carbon Intensity/Fuel Efficiency & Flexibility
We’ve highlighted four “colors” of hydrogen on the H2PWR Systems page, based on their respective “carbon intensity.” Hydrogen can be produced from both fossil fuels and renewable energy processes. The H2PWR Systems’s NG Fuel Efficiency is 2 ½ times more efficient than a regular NG turbine. Feedstock options include methane, propane, natural gas, or green hydrogen from renewable energy.
Power Reliability and Equipment Longevity
The H2PWR Systems system is a tightly coupled system that includes a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and a modified Natural Gas turbine. This unique configuration – coupled with the proprietary advanced power controls – has resulted in an exceptionally responsive system that has a low-turn-down ratio and fast ramp up rate, so that it “behaves” like a diesel generator. The unique software and hardware configuration has been demonstrated to extend the useful life of a SOFC by more than 7 times – from the present 2 to 4 years to 14 to 20 years.
Ease of Installation/ Operation / Maintenance
RPW encourages you to evaluate the comparative complexity and cost of installing and commissioning a variety of power generation systems – plus the skills required for operation and long-term maintenance.
Compatibilty With the Legacy or Existing Grid
The ease of installation (and costs to commission) will depend in large part on the compatibility of the power generator with the existing grid architecture. The H2PWR Systems, for instance, is highly compatible, requiring installation on the secondary bus of a distribution substation and access to NG (if required) OR on a protected slab with appropriate switchgear in behind-the-meter applications.
INTRODUCING THE “PESTEL” ANALYSIS THAT WE EMPLOY IN OUR EVALUATIONS: FACTORING IN REGIONAL AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS
In advising prospective clients concerning the locational and other factors that should be considered when weighing the selection of our H2PWR Systems over other options, we advise taking into account many of the same factors as a “PESTEL” analysis. If you are unfamiliar with the PESTEL factors, in a nutshell they are:
Politics
There are growing uncertainties in today’s energy world and it pays to keep abreast of changes at the local, state, regional, and federal levels. This, of course, includes tracking pertinent legislation in the local jurisdiction that may impact adoption of various generation technologies.
Economic
There are a number of variables associated with installation, commissioning and operations/maintenance – including the cost of (and access to) the system’s feedstock.
Social
This could include addressing any perceived safety and security issues that may impede adoption of generation systems in populous areas – such as adjacency to schools, hospitals, and other electricity off-takers.
Technological
RPW and the team can apprise any end-user of the various components and attributes of the systems. Training programs are being planned for maintenance and operations.
Environmental
H2 is an exceptionally clean fuel, even without carbon capture (gray hydrogen). How does the H2PWR system impact the environment (air quality and land-use) compared to any comparable system?
Legal (and Regulatory) Issues:
Installing and commissioning power generating systems requires compliance with various regulations including zoning, permitting, and interconnections with the grid. It is imperative to consider these potentially expensive and time-consuming factors when evaluating the system that is optimum for your needs.
Do you have questions about the H2PWR consultative services and planned training programs? Drop us a line at info@resilientpowerworks.com
