We are committed to the HYDROGENSET concept

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The production and storage of green hydrogen for use as fuel opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy generation with zero impact.

In order to better understand the HYDROGENSET concept, it is important to first understand how hydrogen functions as an energy carrier.

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element in the periodic table. Hydrogen atoms consist of one proton and one electron, and under normal conditions it is a stable gas of diatomic molecules (H2). It is one of the most abundant elements on Earth and throughout the universe, but it usually exists in combination with other elements: with oxygen as water molecules, or with carbon as organic compounds. It is not a fuel which exists in nature ready for use, rather it is an energy carrier like electricity. It needs to be generated somehow.

There are various methods of producing hydrogen, all of which are based on different feedstocks and energy sources and use different processes. Depending on the feedstock and energy source used to produce the H2, it may be 100% renewable, 100% fossil fuel, or a hybrid H2 with a certain percentage of each.

Hydrogen can be produced in large, centralised facilities or in small, distributed units located close to the point of final consumption. This means that hydrogen can be produced anywhere on the planet, even in remote areas.

A kilogram of hydrogen contains more energy than a kilogram of other fuels (and almost three times as much as petrol or natural gas), and no carbon dioxide is emitted in the process of releasing that energy, only water vapour, so the environmental impact is zero.

Just as there are various methods of generating hydrogen, different energy recovery systems also exist; this is where the HYDROGENSET concept comes into play. The term covers any method of energy generation which uses hydrogen, in any of its forms or states, as a fuel:

  • Combustion in gaseous form in engines, either by blending with other fuels or even using 100% H2.
  • Fuel cells that use a chemical process in which H2 and O2 (air) are introduced to form water vapour, and an electric current is generated by the exchange of electrons and protons across the membrane between the substances.
  • The use of ammonia to power retrofitted internal combustion engines, dual fuel engines, or new engines designed to run on ammonia.
  • The use of methanol for large machines with internal combustion engines, including dual fuel engines, which offer greater versatility as they can be powered by traditional fuels if necessary.

New photovoltaic roof

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We cannot put an end to the CO2 emissions of the entire planet, but we can do everything we can to limit emissions in our facilities. We have installed 126 photovoltaic panels on the roof of our headquarters in Bergondo, A Coruña.

The work is part of the first phase of our OGGY energy management project, and during phase 2 we will continue with the installation of photovoltaic facades. With a total power rating of 57.33kW, the 126 panels are key to our sustainability efforts: they will reduce our CO2 emissions by more than 20 tonnes per year.

Integration with the OGGY system is through MODBUS communication, which is essential in order for the system to be able to properly manage both the generation and consumption points and use the battery storage module to ensure a highly efficient energy supply to all our facilities.

We would like to thank Avanza for processing the subsidies, installing the panels and launching the system. We are making steady progress with our energy transition plan, little by little and step by step.

Installation of photovoltaic façades at our facilities

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In keeping with our commitment to sustainability and the goals laid out in the 2030 Agenda, we have begun installation of two photovoltaic facades at our headquarters in Bergondo. The project will stimulate innovation and will have a contribute directly to our pursuit of 6 of the 17 SDGs.

The initiative is part of the OGGY project, our roadmap to energy self-sufficiency. This ambitious project consists of 93 photovoltaic glass panels with eight different modulations to match the facades’ design. The total power rating will be 13.1 kW, allowing us to generate 11,000 kWh per year. The benefits of the new facades are clear:

  • The project will result in an increase in energy efficiency of up to 30%.
  • The facades will help us become energy self-sufficient, in line with EU goals; for years European legislation has sought to encourage self-consumption and the use of renewable energy.
  • Photovoltaic façades reduce cooling requirements by up to 50% compared to standard façades, which means less need for air conditioning in buildings.
  • The building-integrated photovoltaics we have chosen are ideal for increasing the comfort of workers and visitors, as they filter harmful solar radiation without obstructing the passage of natural light.
  • The facade will enable us to reduce our GHG emissions and thus our corporate carbon footprint.

Implementation of the OGGY energy management system

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We recently launched OGGY (Off-Grid Genesal energY), our company energy management system. When put into operation in conjunction with certain other systems currently in development, it will open the door to Genesal becoming energy self-sufficient.

OGGY is an energy management system which uses a control algorithm to allow us to store energy from different sources in an array of storage systems for later use, opening up the possibility of becoming independent from the grid supply. It also allows us to monitor in real time both the energy production and the demand of the factory itself as well as our offices, air conditioning system and electric vehicle chargers, among others, enabling us to adjust our energy mix to ensure an optimal balance at all times.

The most important component of the system is the energy management algorithm, which allows us to monitor our energy generation and consumption points in order to ensure optimal use of energy from storage at all times through intelligent storage. The system control algorithm continuously analyses the status of our energy generation, storage, and consumption and makes use of the predictions generated in factory testing to optimise system settings at all times.

Our energy production points are:

  • The test bench where we test each and every one of the generator sets we manufacture.
  • Our solar panel array on the roof of bay B27, which has 126 panels totalling 57 kW.
  • The photovoltaic glass on the facade of bays B28 and B27, which consists of 93 panels totalling 13.1 kW.
  • The back-up network in case of system failure.

Our storage systems are:

  • A lithium-ion battery rack (phase 1); 14 modules providing a total of 92 kWh of power./li>
  • Generation of green hydrogen for storage (phase 2).

The consumers in this case are:

  • Our own facilities in bays B28 and B27.