The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in collaboration with Siemens Energy Middle East has implemented what the duo call as the '1st' solar-driven green hydrogen producing facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It has come up at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBR Solar Park) in Dubai. The project was under construction since February 2019 (see Construction Starts On Hydrogen Facility In Dubai).
According to Siemens Energy, the industrial scale facility was developed with electrolysis, storage and re-electrification capabilities. Solar power supply from MBR Solar Park during the day will enable the pilot project to produce around 20.5 kg per hour of hydrogen at 1.25 MWe of peak power.
This project, DEWA explained, will enable it to demonstrate the production of green hydrogen from solar power, storage and re-electrification of hydrogen. It added that the plant has been built to accommodate future applications and test platforms for the different uses of hydrogen, including potential mobility and industrial uses.
Operational experience gained from the pilot, referred to as Green Hydrogen Project, will be invaluable in developing sustainable and carbon-free solutions for various industries, driving green economic growth for the benefit of future generations, according to the partners.
"The system is the cornerstone for encouraging the use and licensing of vehicles, facilities and equipment related to hydrogen fuel and will contribute to achieving sustainable growth that balances the environmental, economic and social aspects," said DEWA's MD and CEO of DEWA, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer. "This project to produce hydrogen using solar power also supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 75% of Dubai's total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050 as well as the Dubai Green Mobility 2030 initiative, which aims to stimulate the use of sustainable transport."
The MBR Solar Park is scheduled to have 5 GW of solar PV and concentrated solar thermal (CSP) power capacity once it is completed in phases, by 2030 as the world's largest single-site solar park in the world.