The Cost Reduction Analysis of Green Hydrogen Production from Coal Mine Underground Water for Circular Economy

Abstract

The novelty of the paper is the analysis of the possibilities of reducing the operating costs of a mine water pumping station in an abandoned coal mine. To meet the energy needs of the pumping station and reduce the carbon footprint, “green” energy from a photovoltaic farm was used. Surplus green energy generated during peak production is stored in the form of green hydrogen from the water electrolysis process. Rainwater and process water are still underutilized sources for increasing water resources and reducing water stress in the European Union. The article presents the possibilities of using these waters, after purification, in the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis. The article also presents three variants that ensure the energy self-sufficiency of the proposed concepts of operation of the pumping station.

Keywords

• renewable sources of energy
• energy storage
• revitalization of post-mining areas
• mine liquidation