Technical and financial study of the development in Venezuela of the hydrogen energy system

We study the viability of the development in Venezuela of a Hydroelectricity/Hydrogen Energy System, HHES, conducted by means of the construction and manipulation of a mathematical model for each energy system component: Transformation, Storage, Transport and Distribution, and End Uses; with a view to its application in rural areas of the country that lack permanent and secure energy services. The HHES model as a whole is obtained by interconnecting the component models. Structurally, the models are formed by an energy sub-model and a cost sub-model. This simulation is based on the most favourable conditions for the proposed result. The results indicate that the total costs depend mainly on the evolution of the investment costs, and in particular the costs of the End Uses component. The increased overall efficiency of the HHES has adverse effects on costs: it brings down the input costs while at the same time raising the investment costs, and in the end the second effect predominates. The outcome of comparing the results obtained with the results in the bibliography is clearly on Venezuela’s side. Finally, the energy system studied here can compete with the electrical grid, and it also contributes significantly to raising the quality of life of the rural community that was chosen, all of which emphasizes the viability and importance of this proposal.

► The viability of the hydroelectric/hydrogen energy system is studied.
► A mathematical model of the proposed energy system is formulated and resolved.
► The model is applied to a rural region of Venezuela with no reliable energy supply.
► The total cost depends mainly on the cost of the Final Uses component.
► The proposed system is competitive compared to the option of extending the electrical grid to the area studied.