Assessment of geothermal energy use with thermoelectric generator for hydrogen production

Abstract

In this work, a new model for producing hydrogen from a low enthalpy geothermal source was presented. Thermal energy from geothermal sources can be converted into electric power by using thermoelectric modules instead of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) machines, especially for low geothermal temperatures. This electrical energy uses the water electrolysis process to produce hydrogen. Simulation and experiments for the thermoelectric module in this system were undertaken to assess the efficiency of these models. TRNSYS software is used to simulate the system in Hammam Righa spa, the temperature of this spring is 70 degrees C. Obtained results reveal that in hammam righa spa in Algeria, 0.5652 Kg hydrogen per square meter of thermoelectric generator (TEG) can be produced in one year. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.