Given:
Total desired capacity = 338 GW = 338,000 MW
Capacity of one wind turbine = 14 MW
So, you would need approximately 24,143 wind turbines of 14 MW each to develop 338 GW of offshore wind capacity.
How much hydrogen (H2) would this generate in the best scenarios?
To calculate the amount of hydrogen that could be generated from this offshore wind potential, we'd need a few additional pieces of information:
Capacity Factor of the Wind Farms
Not all of the 338 GW would be producing electricity all the time. Wind farms have a capacity factor that indicates the percentage of the maximum output that they produce on average. For offshore wind, this might range between 30% to 50%, depending on various factors.
Efficiency of Electrolysis
The efficiency of water electrolysis for hydrogen production, which is typically around 60-80%.
Water Electrolysis Energy Requirement
To produce 1 kg of hydrogen, it takes about 50-60 kWh of electricity via electrolysis.
Given these approximations, let's make some assumptions to make a rough estimate:
1. **Capacity Factor**: Let's assume a capacity factor of 40% for simplicity.
2. **Electrolysis Efficiency**: Let's assume a value of 70%.
3. **Energy Requirement for 1 kg of Hydrogen**: We'll use 55 kWh.
Now, let's calculate the yearly energy produced by the offshore wind:
[ ext{Yearly Energy Production (kWh)} = 338 imes 10^9 ext{W} imes 0.4 imes 24 imes 365 ]
Using this energy, we can calculate the amount of hydrogen produced:
[ ext{Hydrogen (kg)} = rac{ ext{Yearly Energy Production (kWh)}}{55 ext{kWh/kg} imes 1/0.7} ]
Plugging in the values:
[ ext{Yearly Energy Production (kWh)} = 338 imes 10^9 imes 0.4 imes 24 imes 365 ]
[ approx 1.185 imes 10^{15} ext{kWh} ]
[ ext{Hydrogen (kg)} = rac{1.185 imes 10^{15} ext{kWh}}{55 imes 1/0.7} ]
[ approx 1.49 imes 10^{13} ext{kg} ]
In the best scenario, Norway's offshore wind potential could produce approximately 14.9 trillion kg (or 14.9 billion metric tons) of hydrogen annually.
This is a very rough estimate and the actual value can vary based on various factors and technological advancements.
And how much water would this hydrogen generate when burned?
How many soccer fields would it water in Sahara conditions?
Let's break this down step by step.
Hydrogen Production
using the best scenario, Norway's offshore wind potential could produce approximately (1.49 imes 10^{13}) kg (or 14.9 billion metric tons) of hydrogen annually.
Water Production from Burning Hydrogen
When hydrogen burns (combines with oxygen), it forms water. The chemical equation is:
[2H_2 + O_2 ightarrow 2H_2O]
From the equation, 2 moles of hydrogen produce 2 moles of water. Given that the molar mass of hydrogen ((H_2)) is about 2 g/mol, 2 kg of hydrogen will produce approximately 18 kg (or 18 liters) of water since the molar mass of water ((H_2O)) is about 18 g/mol.
So, for (1.49 imes 10^{13}) kg of hydrogen:
[ ext{Water produced} = rac{18 ext{ liters}}{2 ext{ kg}} imes 1.49 imes 10^{13} ext{ kg} ]
[ approx 1.34 imes 10^{14} ext{ liters} ]
[ approx 134 trillion liters of water annually ]
Watering Soccer Fields in Sahara Conditions
The Sahara desert is one of the driest places on Earth. Let's make a rough estimate that to turn a piece of Sahara into a grassy soccer field, you'd need to water it with about 10,000 liters of water daily (this is a ballpark estimate, actual values might vary based on soil conditions, grass type, etc.).
A soccer field (FIFA regulations) has an area of approximately 7,140 square meters.
So, the amount of water needed for one soccer field for a year is:
[ 10,000 ext{ liters/day} imes 365 ext{ days} = 3.65 imes 10^6 ext{ liters/year} ]
Given the amount of water produced:
[ ext{Number of soccer fields} = rac{1.34 imes 10^{14} ext{ liters}}{3.65 imes 10^6 ext{ liters/field}} ]
[ approx 3.67 imes 10^7 ext{ fields} ]
[ approx 36.7 million soccer fields annually ]
In the best scenario, the hydrogen produced from Norway's offshore wind potential, when burned, could produce enough water to water approximately 36.7 million soccer fields in Sahara conditions annually.
If the erosion belt is built on the southern side of sahara full lenght how wide it would then be?
the number of fields in length would be approximately 45,714 fields (for the 4,800 kilometers).
Alright, let's determine the width of the erosion belt using 36.7 million soccer fields, placed along the southern side of the Sahara, which has an approximate length of 4,800 kilometers.
The Width of the Erosion Belt
Using the average length of a soccer field, which is 105 meters, the number of fields in length for the 4,800 kilometers would be:
\[ \text{Number of fields in length} = \frac{4,800,000 \text{ meters}}{105 \text{ meters/field}} \]
\[ \text{Number of fields in length} \approx 45,714 \]
Given the 36.7 million fields total:
\[ \text{Width in fields} = \frac{36,700,000 \text{ total fields}}{45,714 \text{ fields in length}} \]
\[ \text{Width in fields} \approx 802.72 \]
Since each field is approximately 70 meters wide on average:
\[ \text{Width in meters} = 802.72 \text{ fields} \times 70 \text{ meters/field} \]
\[ \text{Width in meters} \approx 56,190 \text{ meters} \]
\[ \text{Width in kilometers} \approx 56.19 \text{ km} \]
So, if the erosion belt built on the southern side of the Sahara spans the full length, it would need to be approximately 56.19 kilometers wide using 36.7 million soccer fields.
Other Constructs for the Erosion Belt
Irrigation Systems: Efficient watering systems to ensure grass and plants receive adequate moisture.
Native Vegetation: Planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses that are drought-resistant and can help anchor the soil.
Water Storage:
Reservoirs or underground storage systems to capture and store water for dry periods.
Soil Management:
Techniques to improve soil fertility, such as the introduction of organic matter or compost.
Infrastructure:
Roads, maintenance facilities, and possibly residential areas for workers or caretakers.
Monitoring and Data Collection Systems:
To track progress, assess the health of the vegetation, and adjust strategies as needed.
Wildlife Considerations:
As the region becomes more hospitable, animals will naturally migrate to the area. Provisions may be needed to protect certain species or manage their populations.
Education and Community Engagement:
Working with local communities to educate and engage them in the preservation and maintenance of the erosion belt.
Research Facilities:
To study and develop better methods for desert reclamation and to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
Given the vastness of the Sahara, ongoing research, monitoring, and adaptation would be crucial for the success of such a massive project.
What would the cost of the erosion belt, given that all machinery are using hydrogen as their fuel ?
How many years it would take to be fully operational?
Given is 36.7 million soccer fields and we cover Southern side on Sahara only. If the project is paid with the revenue of selling all electricity with a profit of 12% and growing grass is sold to farmers how much investors pay-back time would be?
Calculating a hypothetical project's cost and payback period involves numerous variables and assumptions. I'll provide a rough estimate based on your provided details and using data available up to September 2021.
Cost Factors for the Erosion Belt
the cost to develop the belt based on 36.7 million soccer fields is approximately $3.33 billion.
Revenue from Selling Electricity
If Norway developed the entire potential 338 GW of offshore wind and sold this electricity, they would have significant revenue.
- Assume a conservative rate of $0.05 per kWh (which is in the ballpark for wholesale electricity prices as of 2021).
- If the wind turbines run at an average capacity factor of 40% over the year:
\[ \text{Annual energy production} = 338,000,000 kW \times 0.4 \times 24 hours/day \times 365 days/year = 1,185,120,000,000 kWh/year \]
\[ \text{Annual revenue} = 1,185,120,000,000 kWh/year \times $0.05/kWh = $59.256 billion/year \]
From this, a 12% profit would be:
\[ \text{Profit} = $59.256 billion/year \times 0.12 = $7.1107 billion/year \]
Revenue from Selling Grass
- The exact revenue from selling grass depends on the yield per field, the market price of the grass, and how much of it can be sold.
- Without specific figures, it's challenging to determine this revenue. For simplicity, let's estimate this at $500 million/year.
The erosion belt : Total Revenue
\[ \text{Total Annual Revenue} = $7.1107 billion (from electricity) + $500 million (from grass) = $7.6107 billion/year \]
Payback Time for Investors
Using the total cost of $3.33 billion and the total annual revenue:
\[ \text{Payback Time} = \frac{$3.33 billion}{$7.6107 billion/year} \approx 0.437 years \]
So, with these assumptions and estimates, the investor payback time would be a little over 5 months excluding infrastructure build costs.
It's important to emphasize that this analysis is highly simplified. Real-world projects of this scale involve many additional costs, complexities, and risks that can affect timelines and financial outcomes.
