This flagship project will combine solar power generation with a battery storage system and local community participation. The production of green hydrogen will also be part of the project, provided that local off-take and use opportunities are confirmed. The project will thus take a holistic approach to the local energy transition and help the region reduce its emissions.
BayWa r.e., together with Lhyfe, a pioneer and big player in renewable green hydrogen, was selected through a call for expression of interest to support the Communauté de Communes in developing a photovoltaic (PV) system.
Regional distribution of green hydrogen
BayWa r.e. will lead the development of the 40 MW ground-mounted PV plant with an annual production of 52 GWh and the implementation of an energy storage system. Lhyfe will be responsible for developing a green hydrogen production plant that will be powered by the PV farm. The renewable hydrogen could then be sold within a 100 to 150 km radius to industrial companies, municipalities, associations or school and mass transit. This potential will be confirmed by a year-long study of local use.
The ground-mounted system will be coupled with an energy storage system. This will allow the system to be optimally integrated into the grid by capturing excess solar production and effectively utilizing the electrical infrastructure. In addition, it will help secure the power supply, especially during peak load periods in winter.
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"BayWa r.e. wants this project to become a flagship for innovation in France, demonstrating the benefits of combining flexibility instruments and renewable energy generation. We want to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the project, but also its economic relevance in terms of all the services offered," explains Mathieu Bordeleau, Innovation Director at BayWa r.e. France.
BayWa r.e. has offered that the municipality will participate in the project during the development phase and become a majority shareholder during the construction and operation phases. The financial benefits resulting from this investment would be in addition to the economic and tax benefits once the solar park is implemented.
Investment opportunity for local stakeholders
"BayWa r.e. is very proud to have been selected by the Communauté de Communes Haute-Saintonge to work with Lhyfe to implement a decidedly innovative project combining solar energy, hydrogen and energy storage at the same site. This project will be a model for regions that want to actively participate in the energy transition, especially as an investment opportunity for local stakeholders," comments Céline Tran, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. France.
Innovative projects like Haute-Saintonge, which integrate storage technology and hydrogen into renewable power generation, will play an important role in driving the energy transition. BayWa r.e. is therefore also currently examining further development opportunities in this area in Europe and beyond. (hcn)
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