Preliminary estimation of electrolytic hydrogen production potential from renewable energies in Ecuador

An initial assessment of the production potential of H₂ by electrolysis is performed in Ecuador with electricity from renewable sources. The renewable energies considered are: solar photovoltaic, wind, geothermal and hydropower. The information about their potential is based on maps of solar and wind resources, geothermal surveys, as well as estimates on mini-hydro and spilled turbinable energy from hydroelectric plants with reservoir. The amount of H₂ is obtained by considering a PEM electrolizer, with an efficiency of 75%, reaching a production of 4.55 × 10⁸ kg/year in a likely scenario. Two different uses of H₂ are presented: 1) automotive transportation, replacing gasoline and diesel and, 2) rural energy, replacing firewood for cooking in rural households in the country. As a result, H₂ is able to replace 65% and 44% of the volumes of imported gasoline and diesel, respectively and the overall replacement of gasoline in 9 out of 23 provinces. Also, it is possible the total replacement of firewood in rural households in 20 provinces, and, under certain conditions, the H₂ surplus could be used to completely cover the electricity needs in the same rural households in 20 provinces. It is concluded that, there are certain opportunities in Ecuador to include H₂ in its energy matrix, contributing to improve the supply of secondary energy, raising the life quality in rural areas, mitigation of environmental pollution and strengthening the national economy. All this makes necessary to conduct more detailed technical and economic studies.