Estudio de viabilidad de la operación de la central hidroeléctrica de Bre ice para la instalación de electrolizadores de hidrógeno

Abstract

[EN] The aim of this thesis is to develop a numerical model of the Brežice HPP in order to analyse the potential of installing hydrogen electrolyzers. To do so, first bibliographic research of hydropower technology is presented, covering theoretical and technical approaches. Then a thorough analysis of the Brežice HPP is introduced, explaining the operating and hydrological situation of the facility. Subsequently, the numerical model is developed from a series of data sets collected from the HPP operator, and presented in forms of mathematical equations and graphics. The validity of the numerical model is then verified with real data and used to analyse the HPP potential to turbine bypass water flow. The results show good correlation between the measured and calculated values obtained with the model, and bypass water flow analysis reveals that power losses are up to a 10 % of the total power output of the HPP. This thesis summarizes the importance of future research on the economic model of the HPP in order to evaluate hydrogen electrolyzers potential.

[ES] El objetivo de la tesis es estudiar el funcionamiento de la central hidroeléctrica de Bre ice, situada en la parte baja del río Sava, Eslovenia, para estudiar la viabilidad de implantar electrolizadores de hidrógeno. La función de los electrolizadores sería producir hidrógeno con el excedente energético que la central desaprovecha en situaciones de saturación de las líneas de transmisión a las que se encuentra conectada. El enfoque del esta tesis es analizar la central hidroeléctrica y los regímenes hidráulicos del río Sava para poder modelar el comportamiento de la central y optimizar su funcionamiento. Esta tesis forma parte de un amplio proyecto llevado a cabo por la Universidad de Eslovenia.

[EN] The objective of this thesis is to study the functioning of the hydroelectric power plant of Bre ice, located in the lower Sava river, in Eslovenia, to study the feasability of implementing hydrogen electrolizers. The function of the electrolyzers would be to produce hydrogen with the energy surplus that the power plants throws away when the transmission lines to which it is connected are saturated. The focus of this thesis is to analyze the hydropower plant and the hydraulic regimes of Sava River, in order to make a model of the power plant and optimize its functioning. This thesis is part of a larger proyect carried out by the University of Eslovenia.