POWER SYSTEMS
MAY 2022
A HYDROGEN REVOLUTION: 5MW POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR AN ELECTROLYZER TESTING SYSTEM
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new contract to provide a 5MW Power Supply Unit for an electrolyzer testing system is a key example of one of the projects which confirm Nidec’s leadership in today’s hydrogen market - its technical contribution effectively making the process even greener, says the company. Nidec Industrial Solutions has received an important order from a leading global player in green hydrogen production, storage and distribution for a 5MW Power Supply Unit (PSU) to be installed as part of an electrolyzer testing system, which will be supplied on a 40’ skid with outdoor cabinets using 6 Nidec AD7000 power modules working in parallel to generate 5.6MW of energy. The PSU has several unique features such as a hermetically-sealed oil transformer that uses vegetable oil, which further reduces the environmental impact of the solution. The green hydrogen sector is establishing itself as strategic in future European energy scenario and its evolution will be also promoted thanks to the growing investments announced by the European Union. Nidec Industrial Solutions is not new to the hydrogen market, having provided power supply units for more than 10 green hydrogen PEM electrolyzer systems across Europe. This significant experience has lead to the design of a highly cost-effective, compact, modular unit with a high degree of reliability and efficiency, based on Nidec converters and power control systems. This is a solution which highlights the effectiveness of the products which Nidec Industrial Solutions currently offers to new energy sectors.
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WORLDWIDE INDEPENDENT POWER
“Cost, reliability and efficiency are the three key ingredients for a successful transition to green hydrogen,” says Dominique Llonch, President of Nidec Industrial Solutions. “Our commitment is to provide the safest, most economically viable solution to our customers and we are pleased to have been chosen for this important project. “We have been involved in some of the largest Green Hydrogen pilot projects in Europe, many of which were the first of their kind. It is exciting to see the market evolve into its commercial stage with leading players in green hydrogen market.” He concludes: “This is a further milestone that confirms Nidec’s key role in the future transformation of the energy industry.” The main characteristics of the Nidec AD7000 PSU are: •Input Voltage: 10kV •Output Power Supply: 5.625MW •DC output voltage range: 10141485V •DC output current range: 3133750A. All about electrolyzers and green hydrogen One of the most common ways of producing green hydrogen is through a process involving the electrolysis of water. Electrolysis is a promising option for hydrogen production from renewable resources. Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction takes place in an electrolyzer. Electrolyzers can range in size from small to large-scale, and can be used for a variety of applications, such as for renewable energy storage and buffering or to generate hydrogen for industry feedstock. Electrolyzers can be scaled to meet a variety of input and output ranges,
ranging in size from small industrial plants installed in shipping containers to large-scale centralised production facilities that can deliver the hydrogen by trucks or be connected to pipelines. Currently, the main electrolysis technologies are alkaline and PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane). The hydrogen produced from an electrolyzer is considered highly suitable for use with hydrogen fuel cells. Working much like a battery, fuel cells do not run down or need charging and produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. Green hydrogen is hydrogen generated by renewable energy or from low-carbon power. Green hydrogen has significantly lower carbon emissions than grey hydrogen, which is produced by steam reforming of natural gas, which makes up the bulk of the hydrogen market. Produced by the electrolysis of water is less than 0.1% of total hydrogen production, green hydrogen may be used to decarbonize sectors which are hard to electrify, such as steel and cement production, and thus help to limit climate change. The high cost of H2 production is the main factor behind the low use of green hydrogen. Nonetheless, the hydrogen market is expected to grow, with some forecasts of the cost of hydrogen production falling from $6/kg in 2015 to around $2/kg by
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