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Faculty of Engineering and Computing
Dr. James Carton

From Wind to Hydrogen: Mapping Ireland’s Green Energy Future

A groundbreaking study by researchers at Dublin City University has delivered Ireland’s first cost projection for large-scale green hydrogen production, positioning the country as a potential leader in Europe’s renewable energy transition. Published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, the work by Dr Riadh Habour, Dr Khaled Benyounis, and Dr James Carton from DCU’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering offers a detailed roadmap for turning Ireland’s rich wind and solar resources into a viable, export-ready hydrogen economy.

The researchers developed a complex Python-based model called HyWiS (Hydrogen Wind Solar) to simulate the entire energy production process. The model analyses the costs of using Ireland’s abundant wind and solar resources to produce green hydrogen at an industrial scale, accounting for key components like electrolysers, desalination units, storage, and pipelines.

The study identified Cork as the most cost-effective location for a production facility. The Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) was found to range from €3.53/kgH₂ in 2030 to a more competitive €2.75/kgH₂ by 2040, thanks to projected reductions in technology costs.

The study found that selling surplus electricity back to the national grid could reduce the Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) by as much as 13.52%. Additionally, anticipated declines in investment costs between 2030 and 2040 are expected to bring a further reduction of over 20% in the LCOH.

This research provides valuable data to support investment and policy decisions, aligning with Ireland's ambition to become a key exporter of green fuels to the European Union. The findings reinforce Ireland's strategic position to help meet the EU’s ambitious goal of importing 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 and offers a clear path toward a decarbonised future for Ireland and Europe.

Read the full paper: Green hydrogen production from renewable sources for export, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy here.