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The Gator Bayou Project is an innovative clean hydrogen initiative currently under development in Matagorda County, Texas. This project is focused on producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, ensuring a clean and sustainable process with zero carbon emissions. By leveraging Matagorda County’s renewable energy resources, the Gator Bayou Project aims to contribute to the growing hydrogen economy, fostering industrial decarbonization while promoting energy security and economic development in the region.

Blue Power Partners (BPP) is leading the development of the Gator Bayou project. BPP is a global consultancy and project development company that is dedicated to advancing renewable energy. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is the project investor and manages the world’s largest dedicated clean energy fund. BPP and CIP are working together to develop clean energy projects that enhances the US energy industry and benefits local communities.

Hydrogen Process

[ 1 ] Wind & solar power generation

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar harvest energy directly from the wind and sun.

-The power generated from the wind
turbines and the solar farm will be sent directly to the electrolyzer

[ 2 ] Electrolyzer

The electrolysis process is powered by renewable energy, which provide the electricity needed to split water into oxygen and hydrogen.

-Water is sourced from drilling new ground water wells, collecting surface water or through desalination of seawater

[ 3 ] Local chemicals and refining industry

Local industry connected to the hydrogen infrastructure can utilize the hydrogen directly in their production process.

-Industries such as refineries and
chemicals production facilities use
hydrogen in their production process to produce chemical like ammonia, methanol and refined oil products

The realization of a green hydrogen project in Texas

A good partnership with landowners is essential

A project of this size and ambition cannot be realized without a strong partnership with landowners. It is essential for CIP that a partnership build on trust and respect is established.

CIP is a leader in greenfield investments, specialized in renewable energy production and with strong focus on US

More than 120 GW of greenfield projects are in development and ~14 GW is already in operation or under construction.

Experience with solar projects in Texas – A core technology of the project

CIP already has hands-on Texas experience in developing, constructing and operating the Fighting Jays solar plant.

Wind turbines to complement the electricity production from solar

CIP also here has hands-on experience in Texas developing, constructing and operating the Bearkat I+II, Blue Cloud and Fluvana I+II wind farms.

The key component of the project is the electrolyzer that produces hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen

The electrolyzer is a well-known technology and is currently on track to be commercialized globally with a multitude of large-scale projects being developed over the world.

Supporting infrastructure to realize the project

To complete the project, additional infrastructure investments area needed. This includes road improvements, an electricity grid connection, hydrogen pipelines to connect to the existing hydrogen pipelines, O&M buildings and electrical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The sound of a wind turbine is often compared to the sound of a distant airplane or a ceiling fan, but it’s typically quieter than those sources. Analyses will be conducted to place the wind turbines at a distance where noise impact on people’s daily lives will be at a minimum. Also, a buffer of ~500 meters is always kept to any buildings in the proximity.

Wind turbines and O&G activities can co-exist and the project can be designed to avoid disrupting any potential or existing O&G development activities. However, solar will take up the whole surface usage and to a large extend limit O&G activities. It is possible to design the solar plant to avoid existing O&G operations

Worldwide, wind turbines already co-exist with oil & gas infrastructures. Oil and gas exploration near wind turbines is a natural integration and enables complementarity between the two energy sources.

Yes, the different technologies can co-exist and the project can be designed around existing leases to avoid any disruption on existing development activities

No, CIP has a history of developing, constructing and operating projects and intend to do the same with this green hydrogen project

The decommissioning of solar panels is similar to an installation of the solar panels in reverse meaning that the panels and related equipment is handled with care. The used solar panels are then taken to a facility where the material will be reused to the extent possible.

The land will be left in a state where it is possible to resume farming or any other activity present prior to the project installation

The lease form makes CIP responsible for the decommissioning. If the project is sold in the meantime, then this responsibility will be transferred

The lease form will include provisions that the premises are to be left in a state where it is possible to resume farming activities. Cash for re-instating the property to conditions prior to the development will be placed in a bond allocated to decommissioning of the plant

A fence will be installed around the solar farm unless specific arrangements are made with the landowner. The wind turbines will not have fences placed around them

The installation of wind turbines and/or solar panels will increase property taxes. However, the project (CIP) is responsible for paying these taxes and the lease form will include provisions on this matter

The impact on property value is on average positive. According to a recent study conducted by the American University of Washington, from 1995 to 2018, wind turbines have increased house values by 2.6% compared to counties with no turbines built.

Giving a 1-year notification will be challenging, but any agricultural losses incurred due to the project development will be compensated

A standard renewable project produces power that is directly sold to consumers, but the Gator Bayou project will transform this power into hydrogen, a product that can be used to fuel planes, cargo ships or even space shuttle

The power generated from the wind turbines and the solar farm will be sent directly to the electrolyzer. Only small amounts of excess power generated are sold to the grid. This happens in periods with peak production from both the wind turbines and the solar panels

A project goes through 3 different phases: development, construction and operation. During the development phase, a first theoretical approach is to see whether or not the project is doable (technical, regulatory and commercial). Once the lands are leased, a practical analysis is conducted on the ground to see if the project matches the theoretical approach. The better the theoretical approach the higher the chance of success.

BPP is a consultancy company advising and supporting CIP on their development projects. BPP supports in identifying potential project locations and the conceptual design of the potential project.

The lease form requires the Tenant (CIP) to reimburse landlord for any lost CRP fund through the end of the existing contract.

Cattle, ranching, and agricultural activities can co-exist with wind turbines and have done so for centuries. During the construction phase, detailed plans will be prepared to adapt to day-to-day agricultural activities

Water access and requirements for hydrogen production will be described and analysis conducted to ensure well-suited co-existing between the hydrogen plant and agriculture

During construction, work will be conducted to prepare the land, bring in the equipment and install the wind and solar infrastructures on a regular basis. Coordination between the developer and the landowners will be ensured to adapt both activities during this period. Operation of the infrastructure could impact agricultural activities only when occasional maintenance is planned. Any losses on agricultural revenue is compensated and will also have specific provisions regarding this matter in the full lease

The construction period will necessarily increase the onsite activity implying a regular presence of workers which will impact hunting activities, but often hunting with Shotguns can continue. During operation of the windfarm, normal hunting activities can be resumed, but no hunting with rifle/shotguns can be conducted on the solar site due to risk of damaging the solar panels

Bird hunting is possible during all phases of the project, but the landowner needs to sign a waiver of liability in case damages are caused on the wind turbines.

Building Value That Matters

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners is a global leader in renewable energy investments and makes significant and meaningful contributions to the green transition.
www.cip.com

Other CIP Projects

Panther Grove 1
The project consists of 94 wind turbine generators and will benefit the community through job creation and lease and property tax payments.

Fighting Jays Solar
A large-scale solar operation supplying jobs, much-needed revenues and electrical power
to Fort Bend County and beyond.

Buffalo Plains Wind Farm
The project consists of 83 wind turbine generators and will benefit the community through job creation, lease and property tax payments as well as community vibrancy funds and green option program.

Blue Power Partners is developing the Gator Bayou project on behalf of CIP
www.bluepowerpartners.com

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