
Project concluded (2018 – 2023)
The Project in Brief
Haeolus was a EU project that proposed a new-generation electrolyser integrated within a state-of-the-art wind farm in a remote area with access to a weak power grid.
Haeolus demonstrated multiple control systems, to answer the specific challenges of the three main modes of operation identified by the International Energy Agency:
- Electricity storage
- Mini-grid
- Fuel production
For each of these modes, new operating strategies were developed, optimizing operation concerning uncertain weather and power-price forecasts, but also constraints of the specific operating mode.
In addition, Haeolus’ demonstration was completely remotely controlled and monitored, due to the remoteness of the selected location and its difficult accessibility in winter; this is a characteristic of many wind farms.
The Objectives
More Wind Power
Haeolus demonstrated several control strategies allowing wind-hydrogen integration, reducing the unpredictability of power produced by a wind farm, and thereby enabling much higher rates of renewable energy penetration in the European grid.
Use Cases
Haeolus developed and test control strategies for each mode of operation for wind-hydrogen systems: energy storage, mini-grid and fuel production. The results will be relevant to many wind farms across Europe and worldwide.
2,5 MW Electrolyser
Haeolus demonstrated a 2,5 MW PEM electrolyser, composed of two 1.25 MW stacks. We analysed the data from this electrolyser and benchmark against the results from other EU projects and data from our electrolyser manufacturer, Cummins.
Remote Operation
Very often, wind parks are in inaccessible regions—as is the case for our site of Raggovidda, Norway. Haeolus demonstrated the ability to run a wind-hydrogen system in a remotely controlled setup, with only occasional on-site maintenance.
Dissemination
Haeolus delivered public reports with analyses of business-case, techno-economical factors, environmental impact, impact on the European energy system, and a technology roadmap towards the MAWP 2013 targets.
The best way to predict the future is to create it
Alan Kay
Latest News
- Diagnostics & Prognostics for ElectrolysersThe Haeolus project publishes today one of its final reports, UBFC’s report on diagnostic and prognostic techniques applied to electrolysers.
- Final meetingAs a throwback to the pandemic years, the final project meeting had to be hastily be organised online, as the selected venue, Augsburg, became unreachable due to unprecedented snowfall. The consortium could still manage to join and pull off a successful meeting, even with the regret of not meeting our colleagues one last time. The… Read more: Final meeting
- [Cancelled] Haeolus present at Off-Grid ExpoThe Haeolus project will conclude in 2023, and will be represented at the upcoming Off-Grid Expo + Conference in Augsburg, Germany, on 7-8 December. UPDATE: due to exceptional weather conditions in Munich, the consortium will unfortunately not be able to participate to the Off-Grid Expo.
- Environmental Performance AnalysisThe Haeolus project is proud to publish our latest report by Tecnalia, an LCA analysis of hydrogen plants integrated in wind parks.
- Techno-economic analysis of wind-H₂ integrationThe Haeolus project releases a major report authored by Tecnalia, with SINTEF’s support, about multiple case studies of integration between hydrogen plants and wind parks.
When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills
Old Chinese proverb