Techno-Economic Feasibility of Eavor-Loop Green Hydrogen Production

Abstract

An Eavor-Loop is a closed loop multilateral geothermal system with two vertical wells and 12 multilateral passes to conductively harvest heat at depths of 7-9 km. That heat can be converted to power through an Organic Rankine Cycle generator for production of green hydrogen via electrolysis. Green hydrogen could replace diesel fuel in long-haul transportation due to carbon-free emissions and quick refuelling. However, there are logistical and economic challenges with transportation, handling, and storage of hydrogen. Onsite production of hydrogen at fueling stations using Eavor-Loop energy eliminates many of these challenges. This project analyses the financial and emissions intensity of Eavor-Loop, fossil fuel, wind, and solar powered hydrogen production systems, with case studies in California, Japan, and Germany. Overall, hydrogen fuel production using closed loop geothermal heat is lower in emissions than alternative green energy sources, and Eavor-Loop hydrogen refueling stations can provide competitively priced hydrogen to the hydrogen economy.