Publications
International Competitiveness of Low-carbon Hydrogen Supply to the Northwest European Market
Oct 2022
Publication
This paper analyses which sources of low-carbon hydrogen for the Northwest European market are most competitive taking into account costs of local production conversion and transport. Production costs of electrolysis are strongly affected by local renewable electricity costs and capacity factors. Transport costs are the lowest by pipelines for distances under 10000 km with costs linearly increasing with distance. For larger distances transport as ammonia is more efficient with less relation to distance despite higher conversion costs. The most competitive low-carbon hydrogen supply to the Northwest European market appears to be local Steam Methane Reforming with Carbon Capture and Storage when international gas prices return back to historical levels. When gas prices however remain high then import from Morocco with electrolysis directly connected to offshore wind generation is found to be the most competitive source of low-carbon hydrogen. These conclusions are robust for various assumptions on costs and capacity factors.
Increasing Technical Efficiency of Renewable Energy Sources in Power Systems
Mar 2023
Publication
This paper presents a method for refining the forecast schedule of renewable energy sources (RES) generation by its intraday adjustment and investigates the measures for reserving RES with unstable generation in electric power systems (EPSs). Owing to the dependence of electricity generation by solar and wind power plants (PV and WPPs respectively) on natural conditions problems arise with their contribution to the process of balancing the power system. Therefore the EPS is obliged to keep a power reserve to compensate for deviations in RES from the planned generation amount. A system-wide reserve (mainly the shunting capacity of thermal and hydroelectric power plants) is used first followed by other means of power reserve: electrochemical hydrogen or biogas plants. To analyze the technical and economic efficiency of certain backup means mathematical models based on the theory of similarity and the criterion method were developed. This method is preferred because it provides the ability to compare different methods of backing up RES generation with each other assess their proportionality and determine the sensitivity of costs to the capacity of backup methods with minimal available initial information. Criterion models have been formed that allow us to build dependencies of the costs of backup means for unstable RES generation on the capacity of the backup means. It is shown that according to the results of the analysis of various methods and means of RES backup hydrogen technologies are relatively the most effective. The results of the analysis in relative units can be clarified if the current and near-term price indicators are known.
Low Carbon Optimal Operation of Integrated Energy System Based on Concentrating Solar Power Plant and Power to Hydrogen
Mar 2023
Publication
A new integrated energy system (IES) framework is created in order to encourage the consumption of renewable energy which is represented by wind and solar energy and lower carbon emissions. The connection between the units in the composite system is examined in this research. In-depth analysis is done on how energy is transferred between electricity heat gas and hydrogen. The system model and constraints are used to build an objective function with the lowest total operating cost. The calculation of carbon trading includes the ladder carbon trading method. And set up 6 cases for analysis which verifies the effectiveness of the participation of the concentrated solar power plant (CSPP) in the heat supply and power to hydrogen system (P2HS) in reducing the total operating cost of the system reducing wind curtailment and light curtailment and reducing carbon emissions. Under the model considered in this paper reduces the total operating cost reduces by 27.04% when the concentrated solar power plant is involved in the supply of thermal load. And the carbon emission is reduced by 14.529%. Compared with the traditional power to gas considers the power to hydrogen system in this paper which reduces the total operating cost by 4.79%.
Recent Advances in High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis with Solid Oxide Electrolysers for Green Hydrogen Production
Apr 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is known to be the carbon-neutral alternative energy carrier with the highest energy density. Currently more than 95% of hydrogen production technologies rely on fossil fuels resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. Water electrolysis is one of the most widely used technologies for hydrogen generation. Nuclear power a renewable energy source can provide the heat needed for the process of steam electrolysis for clean hydrogen production. This review paper analyses the recent progress in hydrogen generation via high-temperature steam electrolysis through solid oxide electrolysis cells using nuclear thermal energy. Protons and oxygen-ions conducting solid oxide electrolysis processes are discussed in this paper. The scope of this review report covers a broad range including the recent advances in material development for each component (i.e. hydrogen electrode oxygen electrode electrolyte interconnect and sealant) degradation mechanisms and countermeasures to mitigate them.
Green Hydrogen Value Chain: Modelling of a PV Power Plant Integrated with H2 Production for Industry Application
Mar 2024
Publication
Based on the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 agenda of the United Nations affordable and clean energy is one of the most relevant goals to achieve the decarbonization targets and break down the global climate change effects. The use of renewable energy sources namely solar energy is gaining attention and market share due to reductions in investment costs. Nevertheless it is important to overcome the energy storage problems mostly in industrial applications. The integration of photovoltaic power plants with hydrogen production and its storage for further conversion to usable electricity are an interesting option from both the technical and economic points of view. The main objective of this study is to analyse the potential for green hydrogen production and storage through PV production based on technical data and operational considerations. We also present a conceptual model and the configuration of a PV power plant integrated with hydrogen production for industry supply. The proposed power plant configuration identifies different pathways to improve energy use: supply an industrial facility supply the hydrogen production and storage unit sell the energy surplus to the electrical grid and provide energy to a backup battery. One of the greatest challenges for the proposed model is the component sizing and water electrolysis process for hydrogen production due to the operational requirements and the technology costs.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Flare Gas to Hydrogen: A Lean and Green Sustainability Approach
Jul 2025
Publication
The increasing demand for hydrogen has made it a promising alternative for decarbonizing industries and reducing CO2 emissions. Although mainly produced through the gray pathway the integration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) reduces the CO2 emissions. This study presents a sustainability method that uses flare gas for hydrogen production through steam methane reforming (SMR) with CCS supported by a techno-economic analysis. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the oil company’s efficiency and inverse DEA/sensitivity analysis identified maximum flare gas reduction which was modeled in Aspen HYSYS V14. Subsequently an economic evaluation was performed to determine the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and the cost–benefit ratio (CBR) for Nigeria. The CBR results were 2.15 (payback of 4.11 years with carbon credit) and 1.96 (payback of 4.55 years without carbon credit) indicating strong economic feasibility. These findings promote a practical approach for waste reduction aiding Nigeria’s transition to a circular low-carbon economy and demonstrate a positive relationship between lean and green strategies in the petroleum sector.
Development of a Hydrogen Supplement for use with IGEM/SR/25
Nov 2022
Publication
In response to the UK Government’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 a range of research and demonstration projects are underway to investigate the feasibility of using hydrogen in place of natural gas within the national transmission and distribution system. In order for these projects to achieve their full scope of work a mechanism for performing hazardous area classification for hydrogen installations is required. At present IGEM/SR/25 is used to undertake such assessments for natural gas installations but the standard is not currently applicable to hydrogen or hydrogen/natural gas blends.<br/>This report presents updated data and a summary of the recommended methodologies for hazardous area classification of installations using hydrogen or blends of up to 20% hydrogen in natural gas. The contents of this report are intended to provide a technical commentary and the data for a hydrogen-specific supplement to IGEM/SR/25. The supplement will specifically cover 100% hydrogen and a 20/80% by volume blend of hydrogen/natural gas. Reference to intermediate blends is included in this report where appropriate to cover the anticipated step-wise introduction of hydrogen into the natural gas network.<br/>This report is divided into a series of appendices each of which covers a specific area of the IGEM standard. Each appendix includes a summary of specific recommendations made to enable IGEM/SR/25 to be applied to hydrogen and blends of up to 20% hydrogen in natural gas. The reader is encouraged to review the individual appendices for specific conclusions associated with the topic areas addressed in this report.<br/>In general the existing methodologies and approaches used for area classification in IGEM/SR/25 have been deemed appropriate for installations using either hydrogen or blends of up to 20% hydrogen in natural gas. Where necessary revised versions of the equations and zoning distances used in the standard are presented which account for the influence of material property differences between natural gas and the two alternative fuels considered in this work.
Towards Accident Prevention on Liquid Hydrogen: A Data-driven Approach for Releases Prediction
Mar 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is a clean substitute for hydrocarbon fuels in the marine sector. Liquid hydrogen (2 ) can be used to move and store large amounts of hydrogen. This novel application needs further study to assess the potential risk and safety operation. A recent study of 2 large-scale release tests was conducted to replicate spills of 2 inside the ship’s tank connection space and during bunkering operations. The tests were performed in a closed and outdoor facility. The 2 spills can lead to detonation representing a safety concern. This study analyzed the aforementioned 2 experiments and proposed a novel application of the random forests algorithm to predict the oxygen phase change and to estimate whether the hydrogen concentration is above the lower flammability limit (LFL). The models show accurate predictions in different experimental conditions. The findings can be used to select reliable safety barriers and effective risk reduction measures in 2 spills.
Refuelling Infrastructure Requirements for Renewable Hydrogen Road Fuel through the Energy Transition
Nov 2022
Publication
Current commercially available options for decarbonisation of road transport are battery electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. BEVs are increasingly deployed while hydrogen is in its infancy. We examine the infrastructure necessary to support hydrogen fuelling to various degrees of market penetration. Scotland makes a good exemplar of transport transition with a world leading Net-Zero ambition and proven pathways for generating ample renewable energy. We identified essential elements of the new transport systems and the associated capital expenditure. We developed nine scenarios based on the pace of change and the ultimate market share of hydrogen and constructed a model to analyse their infrastructure requirements. This is a multi-period model incorporating Monte Carlo and Markov Chain elements. A “no-regrets” initial action is rapid deployment of enough hydrogen infrastructure to facilitate the early years of a scenario where diesel fuel becomes replaced with hydrogen. Even in a lower demand scenario of only large and heavy goods vehicles using hydrogen the same infrastructure would be required within a further two years. Subsequent investment in infrastructure could be considered in the light of this initial development.
Hydrogen Production Using Advanced Reactors by Steam Methane Reforming: A Review
Apr 2023
Publication
The present review focuses on the current progress on harnessing the potential of hydrogen production by Methane Steam Reforming (MSR). First based on the prominent literature in last few years the overall research efforts of hydrogen production using different feed stocks like ethanol ammonia glycerol methanol and methane is presented. The presented data is based on reactor type reactor operating conditions catalyst used and yield of hydrogen to provide a general overview. Then the most widely used process [steam methane reforming (SMR)/ methane steam reforming (MSR)] are discussed. Major advanced reactors the membrane reactors Sorption Enhanced methane steam reforming reactors and micro-reactors are evaluated. The evaluation has been done based on parameters like residence time surface area scale-up coke formation conversion space velocity and yield of hydrogen. The kinetic models available in recently published literature for each of these reactors have been presented with the rate constants and other parameters. The mechanism of coke formation and the rate expressions for the same have also been presented. While membrane reactors and sorption enhanced reactors have lot of advantages in terms of process intensification scale-up to industrial scale is still a challenge due to factors like membrane stability and fouling (in membrane reactors) decrease in yield with increasing WHSV (in case of Sorption Enhanced Reactors). Micro-reactors pose a higher potential in terms of higher yield and very low residence time in seconds though the volumes might be substantially lower than present industrial scale conventional reactors.
Comparative Levelized Cost Analysis of Transmitting Renewable Solar Energy
Feb 2023
Publication
A bottom-up cost analysis for delivering utility-scale PV-generated electricity as hydrogen through pipelines and as electricity through power is undertaken. Techno-economic generation and demand data for California are used to calculate the levelized cost of transmitting (LCOT) energy and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) prior to distribution. High-voltage levels of 230 kV and 500 kV and 24-inch and 36-inch pipelines for 100 to 700 miles of transmission are considered. At 100 miles of transmission the cost of transmission between each medium is comparable. At longer distances the pipeline scenarios become increasingly cheaper at low utilization levels. The all-electric pathways utilizing battery energy storage systems can meet 95% of the load for as low as 356 USD/MWh whereas when meeting 100% of load with the hydrogen gas turbine and fuel cell pathways the costs are 278 and 322 USD/MWh respectively.
Boosting Hydrogen through a European Hydrogen Bank
Mar 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is indispensable to decarbonise European industry and reach the EU’s 2030 climate targets and 2050 climate neutrality. It is one of the key technologies of Europe’s Net Zero Industry Act. By scaling up its production we will reduce the use of fossil fuels in European industries and serve the needs of hard-to-electrify sectors.
Climate Change Impacts on Gaseous Hydrogen (H2) Potential Produced by Photovoltaic Electrolysis for Stand-Alone or Grid Applications in Europe
Dec 2022
Publication
The EU’s hydrogen strategy consists of studying the potential for renewable hydrogen to help decarbonize the EU in a cost-effective way. Today hydrogen accounts for less than 2% of Europe’s energy consumption. It is primarily used to produce chemical products. However 96% of this hydrogen production is through natural gas leading to significant amounts of CO2 emissions. In this paper we investigated PV electrolysis H2 gas (noted H2(g)) production for mapping this resource at Europe’s scale. The Cordex/Copernicus RCPs scenarios allow for evaluating the impact of climate changes on the H2 -produced mass and the equivalent energy according to both extreme RCPs scenarios. New linear regressions are investigated to study the great dependence in H2(g) produced masses (kg·yr−1 ) and equivalent energies (MWh·yr−1 ) for European countries. Computational scenarios are investigated from a reference year (2005) to the end of the century (2100) by steps of 5 years. According to RCPs 2.6 (favorable)/8.5 (extreme) 31.7% and 77.4% of Europe’s area presents a decrease of H2(g)-produced masses between 2005 and 2100. For the unfavorable scenario (8.5) only a few regions located in the northeast of France Germany Austria Romania Bulgaria and Greece present a positive balance in H2(g) production for supplying remote houses or smart grids in electricity and heat energy.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Operation of an Internal Combustion Engine Fueled by Hydrogen-containing Mixtures
Mar 2023
Publication
At present hydrogen is considered as one of the most promising motor fuels capable of replacing traditional hydrocarbons. This article presents the results of a comprehensive experimental study of the effect of hydrogen additives on the main parameters of a gasoline spark-ignition ICE. The thermophysical parameters of the processes of ignition and combustion inside the cylinder with the addition of hydrogen in the amount of 0%–20% of the air volume as well as the fuel and energy characteristics of the engine and its impact on the environment were studied. It has been established that hydrogen leads to significant changes in the engine operation. It increases some parameters and reduces others improving or worsening them compared to running on pure gasoline. So with a 20% H2 addition at an average engine load the following parameters increase: the maximum pressure in the cylinder by almost 20%; the rate of pressure increase in the combustion chamber by 2.8 times; the highest combustion temperature by 140 K. At the same time the following parameters decrease: average indicator pressure by 18%; ignition timing by 82% (6◦ to TDC versus 34◦ for gasoline); crank angle corresponding to the maximum pressure by 32% (9.4◦ versus 13.9◦ for gasoline); crank angle corresponding to maximum temperature by 54% (17.7◦ after TDC versus 38.3◦ for clean gasoline); ignition delay time (τind = 0.32 ms) and visible combustion time (τvis = 1.58 ms) by 4 and 2.3 times respectively.
Towards a Prioritization of Alternative Energy Sources for Sustainable Shipping
Apr 2023
Publication
Studies on the prospects of the use of alternative fuels in the maritime industry have rarely been assessed in the context of developing countries. This study assesses seven energy sources for shipping in the context of Bangladesh with a view to ranking their prospects based on sustainability as well as identifying the energy transition criteria. Data were collected from maritime industry experts including seafarers shipping company executives government representatives and academics. The Bayesian Best-Worst Method (BWM) was used for ranking nine criteria related to the suitability and viability of the considered alternative energy sources. Next the PROMETHEE-GAIA method is applied for priority analysis of the seven energy alternatives. The findings reveal that capital cost alternative energy price and safety are the most important factors for alternative energy transition in Bangladesh. Apart from the benchmark HFO Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) HFO-Wind and LNG-Wind hybrids are considered the most viable alternatives. The findings of the study can guide policymakers in Bangladesh in terms of promoting viable energy sources for sustainable shipping.
Current Development Status, Policy Support and Promotion Path of China’s Green Hydrogen Industries under the Target of Carbon Emission Peaking and Carbon Neutrality
Jun 2023
Publication
The green hydrogen industry highly efficient and safe is endowed with flexible production and low carbon emissions. It is conducive to building a low-carbon efficient and clean energy structure optimizing the energy industry system and promoting the strategic transformation of energy development and enhancing energy security. In order to achieve carbon emission peaking by 2030 and neutrality by 2060 (dual carbon goals) China is vigorously promoting the green hydrogen industry. Based on an analysis of the green hydrogen industry policies of the U.S. the EU and Japan this paper explores supporting policies issued by Chinese central and local authorities and examines the inherent advantages of China’s green hydrogen industry. After investigating and analyzing the basis for the development of the green hydrogen industry in China we conclude that China has enormous potential including abundant renewable energy resources as well as commercialization experience with renewable energy robust infrastructure and technological innovation capacity demand for large-scale applications of green hydrogen in traditional industries etc. Despite this China’s green hydrogen industry is still in its early stage and has encountered bottlenecks in its development including a lack of clarity on the strategic role and position of the green hydrogen industry low competitiveness of green hydrogen production heavy reliance on imports of PEMs perfluorosulfonic acid resins (PFSR) and other core components the development dilemma of the industry chain lack of installed capacity for green hydrogen production and complicated administrative permission etc. This article therefore proposes that an appropriate development road-map and integrated administration supervision systems including safety supervision will systematically promote the green hydrogen industry. Enhancing the core technology and equipment of green hydrogen and improving the green hydrogen industry chain will be an adequate way to reduce dependence on foreign technologies lowering the price of green hydrogen products through the scale effect and thus expanding the scope of application of green hydrogen. Financial support mechanisms such as providing tax breaks and project subsidies will encourage enterprises to carry out innovative technological research on and invest in the green hydrogen industry.
Economic Evaluation of a Power-to-hydrogen System Providing Frequency Regulation Reserves: A Case Study of Denmark
Mar 2023
Publication
Operating costs are dominant in the hydrogen production of a power-to-hydrogen system. An optimal operational strategy or bidding framework is effective in reducing these costs. However it is still found that the production cost of hydrogen is high. As the electrolysis unit is characterized by high flexibility providing ancillary service to the grid becomes a potential pathway for revenue stacking. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of providing such a service but the related economics have not been well evaluated. In this work we propose a comprehensive operation model to enable participation in the day-head balancing and reserve markets. Three types of reserves are considered by using different operational constraints. Based on the proposed operation framework we assess the economic performance of a power-to-hydrogen system in Denmark using plentiful actual market data. The results reveal that providing frequency containment reserve and automatic frequency restoration reserve efficiently raises the operational contribution margins. In parallel by investing in the cash flows net present value and break-even hydrogen prices we conclude that providing reserves makes the power-to-hydrogen project more profitable in the studied period and region.
Reduction of Iron Oxides with Hydrogen - A Review
Aug 2019
Publication
This review focuses on the reduction of iron oxides using hydrogen as a reducing agent. Due to increasing requirements from environmental issues a change of process concepts in the iron and steel industry is necessary within the next few years. Currently crude steel production is mainly based on fossil fuels and emitting of the climate-relevant gas carbon dioxide is integral. One opportunity to avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions is substituting hydrogen for carbon as an energy source and reducing agent. Hydrogen produced via renewable energies allows carbon-free reduction and avoids forming harmful greenhouse gases during the reduction process. The thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors of reduction with hydrogen are summarized and discussed in this review. The effects of influencing parameters such as temperature type of iron oxide grain size etc. are shown and compared with the reduction behavior of iron oxides with carbon monoxide. Different methods to describe the kinetics of the reduction progress and the role of the apparent activation energy are shown and proofed regarding their plausibility.
Power Scheduling Optimization Method of Wind-Hydrogen Integrated Energy System Based on the Improved AUKF Algorithm test2
Nov 2022
Publication
With the proposal of China’s green energy strategy the research and development technologies of green energy such as wind energy and hydrogen energy are becoming more and more mature. However the phenomenon of wind abandonment and anti-peak shaving characteristics of wind turbines have a great impact on the utilization of wind energy. Therefore this study firstly builds a distributed wind-hydrogen hybrid energy system model then proposes the power dispatching optimization technology of a wind-hydrogen integrated energy system. On this basis a power allocation method based on the AUKF (adaptive unscented Kalman filter) algorithm is proposed. The experiment shows that the power allocation strategy based on the AUKF algorithm can effectively reduce the incidence of battery overcharge and overdischarge. Moreover it can effectively deal with rapid changes in wind speed. The wind hydrogen integrated energy system proposed in this study is one of the important topics of renewable clean energy technology innovation. Its grid-connected power is stable with good controllability and the DC bus is more secure and stable. Compared with previous studies the system developed in this study has effectively reduced the ratio of abandoned air and its performance is significantly better than the system with separate grid connected fans and single hydrogen energy storage. It is hoped that this research can provide some solutions for the research work on power dispatching optimization of energy systems.
The Socio-technical Dynamics of Net-zero Industrial Megaprojects: Outside-in and Inside-out Analyses of the Humber Industrial Cluster
Feb 2023
Publication
Although energy-intensive industries are often seen as ‘hard-to-decarbonise’ net-zero megaprojects for industrial clusters promise to improve the technical and economic feasibility of hydrogen fuel switching and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Mobilising insights from the megaproject literature this paper analyses the dynamics of an ambitious first-of-kind net-zero megaproject in the Humber industrial cluster in the United Kingdom which includes CCS and hydrogen infrastructure systems industrial fuel switching CO2 capture green and blue hydrogen production and hydrogen storage. To analyse the dynamics of this emerging megaproject the article uses a socio-technical system lens to focus on developments in technology actors and institutions. Synthesising multiple megaproject literature insights the paper develops a comprehensive framework that addresses both aggregate (‘outside-in’) developments and the endogenous (‘inside-out’) experiences and activities regarding three specific challenges: technical system integration actor coordination and institutional alignment. Drawing on an original dataset involving expert interviews (N = 46) site visits (N = 7) and document analysis the ‘outside-in’ analysis finds that the Humber megaproject has progressed rapidly from outline visions to specific technical designs enacted by new coalitions and driven by strengthening policy targets and financial support schemes. The complementary ‘inside-out’ analysis however also finds 12 alignment challenges that can delay or derail materialisation of the plans. While policies are essential aggregate drivers institutional misalignments presently also prevent project-actors from finalising design and investment decisions. Our analysis also finds important tensions between the project's high-pace delivery focus (to meet government targets) and allowing sufficient time for pilot projects learning-by-doing and design iterations.
Renewable Electricity for Decarbonisation of Road Transport: Batteries or E-Fuels?
Feb 2023
Publication
Road transport is one of the most energy-consuming and greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sectors. Progressive decarbonisation of electricity generation could support the ambitious target of road vehicle climate neutrality in two different ways: direct electrification with onboard electro-chemical storage or a change of energy vector with e-fuels. The most promising state-of-the-art electrochemical storages for road transport have been analysed considering current and future technologies (the most promising ones) whose use is assumed to occur within the next 10–15 years. Different e-fuels (e-hydrogen e-methanol e-diesel e-ammonia E-DME and e-methane) and their production pathways have been reviewed and compared in terms of energy density synthesis efficiency and technology readiness level. A final energetic comparison between electrochemical storages and e-fuels has been carried out considering different powertrain architectures highlighting the huge difference in efficiency for these competing solutions. E-fuels require 3–5 times more input energy and cause 3–5 times higher equivalent vehicle CO2 emissions if the electricity is not entirely decarbonised.
Fuel Cells for Shipping: To Meet On-board Auxiliary Demand and Reduce Emissions
Feb 2021
Publication
The reduction of harmful emissions from the international shipping sector is necessary. On-board energy demand can be categorised as either: propulsion or auxiliary services. Auxiliary services contribute a significant proportion of energy demand with major loads including: compressors pumps and HVAC (heating ventilation and air-conditioning). Typically this demand is met using the same fuel source as the main propulsion (i.e. fossil fuels). This study has analysed whether emissions from large scale ships could feasibly be reduced by meeting auxiliary demand by installing a hydrogen fuel cell using data from an LNG tanker to develop a case study. Simulations have shown that for a capacity of 10 x 40ft containers of compressed hydrogen the optimal fuel cell size would be 3 MW and this could save 10600 MWh of fossil fuel use equivalent to 2343 t of CO2. Hence this could potentially decarbonise a significant proportion of shipping energy demand. Although there are some notable technical and commercial considerations such as fuel cell lifetime and capital expenditure requirements. Results imply that if auxiliary loads could be managed to avoid peaks in demand this could further increase the effectiveness of this concept.
Modelling the Impacts of Hydrogen–Methane Blend Fuels on a Stationary Power Generation Engine
Mar 2023
Publication
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas use utilities are investigating the potential of adding hydrogen to their distribution grids. This will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from grid-connected engines used for stationary power generation and it may also impact their power output and efficiency. Promisingly hydrogen and natural gas mixtures have shown encouraging results regarding engine power output pollutant emissions and thermal efficiency in well-controlled on-road vehicle applications. This work investigates the effects of adding hydrogen to the natural gas fuel for a lean-burn spark-ignited four-stroke 8.9 liter eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine used in a commercial stationary power generation application via an engine model developed in the GT-SUITETM modelling environment. The model was validated for fuel consumption air flow and exhaust temperature at two operating modes. The focus of the work was to assess the sensitivity of the engine’s power output brake thermal efficiency and pollutant emissions to blends of methane with 0–30% (by volume) hydrogen. Without adjusting for the change in fuel energy the engine power output dropped by approximately 23% when methane was mixed with 30% by volume hydrogen. It was found that increasing the fueling rate to maintain a constant equivalence ratio prevented this drop in power and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by almost 4.5%. In addition optimizing the spark timing could partially offset the increases in in-cylinder burned and unburned gas temperatures and in-cylinder pressures that resulted from the faster combustion rates when hydrogen was added to the natural gas. Understanding the effect of fuel change in existing systems can provide insight on utilizing hydrogen and natural gas mixtures as the primary fuel without the need for major changes in the engine.
Assessing the Performance of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Using Synthetic Hydrogen Fuel
Mar 2024
Publication
The deployment of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is critical to achieve zero emissions. A key parameter influencing FCEV performance and durability is hydrogen fuel quality. The real impact of contaminants on FCEV performance is not well understood and requires reliable measurements from real-life events (e.g. hydrogen fuel in poor-performing FCEVs) and controlled studies on the impact of synthetic hydrogen fuel on FCEV performance. This paper presents a novel methodology to flow traceable hydrogen synthetic fuel directly into the FCEV tank. Four different synthetic fuels containing N2 (90–200 µmol/mol) CO (0.14–5 µmol/mol) and H2S (4–11 nmol/mol) were supplied to an FCEV and subsequently sampled and analyzed. The synthetic fuels containing known contaminants powered the FCEV and provided real-life performance testing of the fuel cell system. The results showed for the first time that synthetic hydrogen fuel can be used in FCEVs without the requirement of a large infrastructure. In addition this study carried out a traceable H2 contamination impact study with an FCEV. The impact of CO and H2S at ISO 14687:2019 threshold levels on FCEV performance showed that small exceedances of the threshold levels had a significant impact even for short exposures. The methodology proposed can be deployed to evaluate the composition of any hydrogen fuel.
Pore-scale Study of Microbial Hydrogen Consumption and Wettability Alteration During Underground Hydrogen Storage
Feb 2023
Publication
Hydrogen can be a renewable energy carrier and is suggested to store renewable energy and mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. Subsurface storage of hydrogen in salt caverns deep saline formations and depleted oil/gas reservoirs would help to overcome imbalances between supply and demand of renewable energy. Hydrogen however is one of the most important electron donors for many subsurface microbial processes including methanogenesis sulfate reduction and acetogenesis. These processes cause hydrogen loss and changes of reservoir properties during geological hydrogen storage operations. Here we report the results of a typical halophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium growing in a microfluidic pore network saturated with hydrogen gas at 35 bar and 37°C. Test duration is 9 days. We observed a significant loss of H2 from microbial consumption after 2 days following injection into a microfluidic device. The consumption rate decreased over time as the microbial activity declined in the pore network. The consumption rate is influenced profoundly by the surface area of H2 bubbles and microbial activity. Microbial growth in the silicon pore network was observed to change the surface wettability from a water-wet to a neutral-wet state. Due to the coupling effect of H2 consumption by microbes and wettability alteration the number of disconnected H2 bubbles in the pore network increased sharply over time. These results may have significant implications for hydrogen recovery and gas injectivity. First pore-scale experimental results reveal the impacts of subsurface microbial growth on H2 in storage which are useful to estimate rapidly the risk of microbial growth during subsurface H2 storage. Second microvisual experiments provide critical observations of bubble-liquid interfacial area and reaction rate that are essential to the modeling that is needed to make long-term predictions. Third results help us to improve the selection criteria for future storage sites.
Drop-in and Hydrogen-based Biofuels for Maritime Transport: Country-based Assessment of Climate Change Impacts in Europe up to 2050
Nov 2022
Publication
Alternative fuels are crucial to decarbonize the European maritime transport but their net climate benefits vary with the type of fuel and production country. In this study we assess the energy potential and climate change mitigation benefits of using agricultural and forest residues in different European countries for drop-in (Fast Pyrolysis Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Gasification to Fischer-Tropsch fuels or Bio-Synthetic Natural Gas) and hydrogen-based biofuels (hydrogen ammonia and methanol) with or without carbon capture and storage (CCS). Our results show the combinations of countries and biofuel options that successfully achieve the decarbonization targets set by the FuelEU Maritime initiative for the next years including a prospective analysis that include technological changes projected for the biofuel supply chains until 2050. With the current technologies the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential per year at a European scale is obtained with bio-synthetic natural gas and hydrothermal liquefaction. Among carbon-free biofuels ammonia currently has higher mitigation but hydrogen can achieve a lower GHG intensity per unit of energy with the projected decarbonization of the electricity mixes until 2050. The full deployment of CCS can further accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Choosing the most suitable renewable fuels requires a regional perspective and a transition roadmap where countries coordinate actions to meet ambitious climate targets.
Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development
Feb 2017
Publication
Although polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEWEs) have been used in small-scale (kW to tens of kW range) applications for several decades PEWE technology for hydrogen production in energy applications (power-to-gas power-to-fuel etc.) requires significant improvements in the technology to address the challenges associated with cost performance and durability. Systems with power of hundreds of kW or even MWs corresponding to hydrogen production rates of around 10 to 20 kg/h have started to appear in the past 5 years. The thin (∼0.2 mm) polymer electrolyte in the PEWE with low ohmic resistance compared to the alkaline cell with liquid electrolyte allows operation at high current densities of 1–3 A/cm2 and high differential pressure. This article after an introductory overview of the operating principles of PEWE and state-of-the-art discusses the state of understanding of key phenomena determining and limiting performance durability and commercial readiness identifies important ‘gaps’ in understanding and essential development needs to bring PEWE science & engineering forward to prosper in the energy market as one of its future backbone technologies. For this to be successful science engineering and process development as well as business and market development need to go hand in hand.
Hydrogen or Hydrogen-derived Methanol for Dual-fuel Compression-ignition Combustion: An Engine Perspective
Oct 2022
Publication
Synthetic fuels or e-fuels produced from captured CO2 and renewable hydrogen are envisaged as a feasible path towards a climate-neutral transportation in medium/heavy-duty and maritime sectors. EU is presently debating energy targets by 2030 for these fuels. As their production involves chemical processing of hydrogen it must be evaluated if the extra cost is worthy at least in applications where hydrogen use is possible. This manuscript focuses on the performance and environmental impact when hydrogen and methanol are fed to a heavy-duty compression-ignition engine working under dual-fuel combustion. The trade-off thermal efficiency-NOx emissions is primary considered in the assessment by combining both variables in an own defined function. During the work engine operating settings were adjusted to exploit the potential of methanol and hydrogen. Compared to conventional combustion methanol required centering the combustion towards TDC and doubling the EGR rate resulting in a low temperature highly premixed combustion almost soot-free and with extremely low NOx emissions. The best settings for hydrogen were in the middle of those for methanol and conventional combustion. Results showed great dependance with the engine load but methanol proved superior to hydrogen for all conditions. At high load 20–60 % methanol even improved the efficiency and reduced the NOx emissions obtained by conventional combustion. However at low load hydrogen could substitute 90 % of the diesel fuel while methanol failed at substitutions higher than 55 %.
Pre-cooling Systems for Hydrogen Fueling Stations: Techno-economic Analysis for Scaled Enactment
Mar 2023
Publication
Hydrogen fueling standards stipulates a sustainable cooling system technically and economically. Accordingly the interior surface temperature of the on-board H2 storage tank in fuel cell electric vehicles must not exceed the maximum specified limit (358.15 K) and the fueling rate must be ≤ 42.86 sec / kg-H2 with T40 dispenser at 70 MPa. In this context H2 refueling stations often employ double-tube and block heat exchangers for heat transfer. This study examines the H2 pre-cooling system for various loads and provides a comparative techno-economic analysis of double tube heat exchangers (DTHE) and microchannel heat exchangers (MCHE) under stipulated technical operational and outlet gas standards. For this purpose thermal and hydraulic performances were simulated using ANSYS-CFX. Technical and cost models utilize manufacturer specifications and literature-based technical and economic characteristics to derive the minimum sustainable price defined as the price to sustain the product. The results showed that the MCHE outperformed the DTHE for setups in mass manufacturing improved effective heat transfer area and predicted long term unit cost. The annual quantitative output affects manufacturing expenses and profit margins substantially. With high production rates it is expected that the unit cost of the MCHE will decrease by up to 74%. In switching from DTHE to MCHE general material requirements decreased by ~60% with scrap waste savings of ~45% reflecting an appreciable footprint reduction.
Assessment of the Co-combustion Process of Ammonia with Hydrogen in a Research VCR Piston Engine
Oct 2022
Publication
The presented work concerns experimental research of a spark-ignition engine with variable compression ratio (VCR) adapted to dual-fuel operation in which co-combustion of ammonia with hydrogen was conducted and the energy share of hydrogen varied from 0% to 70%. The research was aimed at assessing the impact of the energy share of hydrogen co-combusted with ammonia on the performance stability and emissions of an engine operating at a compression ratio of 8 (CR 8) and 10 (CR 10). The operation of the engine powered by ammonia alone for both CR 8 and CR 10 is associated with either a complete lack of ignition in a significant number of cycles or with significantly delayed ignition and the related low value of the maximum pressure pmax. Increasing the energy share of hydrogen in the fuel to 12% allows to completely eliminate the instability of the ignition process in the combustible mixture which is confirmed by a decrease in the IMEP uniqueness and a much lower pmax dispersion. For 12% of the energy share of hydrogen co-combusted with ammonia the most favorable course of the combustion process was obtained the highest engine efficiency and the highest IMEP value were recorded. The conducted research shows that increasing the H2 share causes an increase in NO emissions for both analyzed compression ratios
Green Hydrogen Based Power Generation Prospect for Sustainable Development of Bangladesh using PEMFC and Hydrogen Gas Turbine
Feb 2023
Publication
Bangladesh focuses on green energy sources to be a lesser dependent on imported fossil fuels and to reduce the GHG emission to decarbonize the energy sector. The integration of renewable energy technologies for green hydrogen production is promising for Bangladesh. Hybrid renewable plants at the coastline along the Bay of Bengal Kuakata Sandwip St. Martin Cox’sbazer and Chattogram for green hydrogen production is very promising to solve the power demand scarcity of Bangladesh. Hydrogen gas turbine and hydrogen fuel cell configured power plant performances are studied to observe the feasibility/prospect to the green energy transition. The Plant’s performances investigated based on specification of the plant’s units and verified by MATLAB SIMULINK software. Fuels blending (different percent of hydrogen with fossil fuel/NG) technique makes the hydrogen more feasible as turbine fuel. The net efficiency of the fuel cell-based combined cycle configuration (74%) is higher than that of the hydrogen gas turbine-based configuration (51.9%). Moreover analyses show that the increment of combined cycle gas turbine efficiency (+18.5%) is more than the combined cycle PEMFC configuration (+14%). Long-term storage of renewable energy in the salt cavern as green hydrogen can be a source of energy for emergency. A significant share of power can be generated by a numbers of green power plants at specified places in Bangladesh.
Industrial Status, Technological Progress, Challenges, and Prospects of Hydrogen Energy
Apr 2022
Publication
Under the requirements of China's strategic goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" as a renewable clean and efficient secondary energy source hydrogen benefits from abundant resources a wide variety of sources a high combustion calorific value clean and non-polluting various forms of utilization energy storage mediums and good security etc. It will become a realistic way to help energy transportation petrochemical and other fields to achieve deep decarbonization and will turn into an important replacement energy source for China to build a modern clean energy system. It is clear that accelerating the development of hydrogen energy has become a global consensus. In order to provide a theoretical support for the accelerated transformation of hydrogen-related industries and energy companies and provide a basis and reference for the construction of "Hydrogen Energy China" this paper describes main key technological progresses in the hydrogen industry chain such as hydrogen production storage transportation and application. The status and development trends of hydrogen industrialization are analyzed and then the challenges faced by the development of the hydrogen industry are discussed. At last the development and future of the hydrogen industry are prospected. The following conclusions are achieved. (1) Hydrogen technologies of our country will become mature and enter the road of industrialization. The whole industry chain system of the hydrogen industry is gradually being formed and will realize the leap-forward development from gray hydrogen blue hydrogen to green hydrogen. (2) The overall development of the entire hydrogen industry chain such as hydrogen production storage and transportation fuel cells hydrogen refueling stations and other scenarios should be accelerated. Besides in-depth integration and coordination with the oil and gas industry needs more attention which will rapidly promote the high-quality development of the hydrogen industry system. (3) The promotion and implementation of major projects such as "north-east hydrogen transmission" "west-east hydrogen transmission" "sea hydrogen landing" and utilization of infrastructures such as gas filling stations can give full play to the innate advantages of oil and gas companies in industrial chain nodes such as hydrogen production and refueling etc. which can help to achieve the application of "oil gas hydrogen and electricity" four-station joint construction form a nationwide hydrogen resource guarantee system and accelerate the planning and promotion of the "Hydrogen Energy China" strategy.
Overview of the Method and State of Hydrogenization of Road Transport in the World and the Resulting Development Prospects in Poland
Jan 2021
Publication
National Implementation Plans (NIP) in regard hydrogenation motor transport are in place in European Union (EU) countries e.g.Germany France or Belgium Denmark Netherlands. Motor transport hydrogenization plans exist in the Japan and USA. In Poland the methodology deployment Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) developed in Motor Transport Institute is of multi-stage character are as follows: Stage I: Method allowing to identify regions in which HRS should be located. Stage II: Method allowing to identify urban centres in which should be located the said stations. Stage III: Method for determining the area of the station location. The presentation of the aforesaid NIPS and based on that and the mentioned methodology the conditions for hydrogenization of motor transport in Poland is the purpose of this article which constitutes its novelty. The scope of the article concerns the hydrogenization of motor transport in the abovementioned countries. With the above criteria the order the construction in Poland of a HRS in the order of their creation along the TEN-T corridors is as follows: 1 - Poznan 2 - Warsaw 3 - Bialystok 4 - Szczecin 5 - the Lodz region 6 - the Tri-City region 7 - Wrocław 8 - the Katowice region 9 – Krakow. The concluding discussion sets out the status of deployment HRS and FCEVs in the analysed countries.
Permeability Modeling and Estimation of Hydrogen Loss through Polymer Sealing Liners in Underground Hydrogen Storage
Apr 2022
Publication
Fluctuations in renewable energy production especially from solar and wind plants can be solved by large‐scale energy storage. One of the possibilities is storing energy in the form of hydrogen or methane–hydrogen blends. A viable alternative for storing hydrogen in salt caverns is Lined Rock Cavern (LRC) underground energy storage. One of the most significant challenges in LRC for hydrogen storage is sealing liners which need to have satisfactory sealing and mechanical properties. An experimental study of hydrogen permeability of different kinds of polymers was conducted followed by modeling of hydrogen permeability of these materials with different additives (graphite halloysite and fly ash). Fillers in polymers can have an impact on the hydrogen permeability ratio and reduce the amount of polymer required to make a sealing liner in the reservoir. Results of this study show that hydrogen permeability coefficients of polymers and estimated hydrogen leakage through these materials are similar to the results of salt rock after the salt creep process. During 60 days of hydrogen storage in a tank of 1000 m2 inner surface 1 cm thick sealing liner and gas pressure of 1.0 MPa only approx. 1 m3STP of hydrogen will diffuse from the reservoir. The study also carries out the modeling of the hydrogen permeability of materials using the Max‐ well model. The difference between experimental and model results is up to 17% compared to the differences exceeding 30% in some other studies.
Process Reconfiguration and Intensification: An Emerging Opportunity Enabling Efficient Carbon Capture and Low-cost Blue Hydrogen Production
Mar 2023
Publication
Low-carbon hydrogen can play a significant role in decarbonizing the world. Hydrogen is currently mainly produced from fossil sources requiring additional CO2 capture to decarbonize which energy intense and costly. In a recent Green Energy & Environment paper Cheng and Di et al. proposed a novel integration process referred to as SECLRHC to generate high-purity H2 by in-situ separation of H2 and CO without using any additional separation unit. Theoretically the proposed process can essentially achieve the separation of C and H in gaseous fuel via a reconfigured reaction process and thus attaining high-purity hydrogen of ∼99% as well as good carbon and hydrogen utilization rates and economic feasibility. It displays an optimistic prospect that industrial decarbonization is not necessarily expensive as long as a suitable CCS measure can be integrated into the industrial manufacturing process.
Study on the Use of Fuel Cells in Shipping
Jan 2017
Publication
Fuel Cells are a promising technology in the context of clean power sustainability and alternative fuels for shipping. Different specific developments on Fuel Cells are available today with research and pilot projects under evaluation that have revealed strong potential for further scaled up implementation. The EMSA Study on the use of Fuel Cells in Shipping has been the result of this Agency’s initiative under the agreement of the Commission and in support of EU Member States an important instrument developed in close partnership with DNV-GL.
Notwithstanding the close dependency of Fuel Cell technology and the development of hydrogen fuel solutions different solutions are today in place making use of LNG methanol and other low flashpoint fuels. EMSA participates in support of the Commission in the 2nd phase development of the IGF Code where provisions for Fuel Cells are to be included as a new part of the text.
The EMSA Study on the use of Fuel Cells in Shipping includes a technology and regulatory review identifying gaps to be further explored the selection of the most promising Fuel Cell technologies for shipping and finally a generic Safety Assessment where the selected technologies are evaluated according to Risk & Safety aspects in generic ship design applications.
Notwithstanding the close dependency of Fuel Cell technology and the development of hydrogen fuel solutions different solutions are today in place making use of LNG methanol and other low flashpoint fuels. EMSA participates in support of the Commission in the 2nd phase development of the IGF Code where provisions for Fuel Cells are to be included as a new part of the text.
The EMSA Study on the use of Fuel Cells in Shipping includes a technology and regulatory review identifying gaps to be further explored the selection of the most promising Fuel Cell technologies for shipping and finally a generic Safety Assessment where the selected technologies are evaluated according to Risk & Safety aspects in generic ship design applications.
Comparing e-Fuels and Electrification for Decarbonization of Heavy-Duty Transports
Oct 2022
Publication
The freight sector is expected to keep or even increase its fundamental role for the major modern economies and therefore actions to limit the growing pressure on the environment are urgent. The use of electricity is a major option for the decarbonization of transports; in the heavy-duty segment it can be implemented in different ways: besides full electric-battery powertrains electricity can be used to supply catenary roads or can be chemically stored in liquid or gaseous fuels (e-fuels). While the current EU legislation adopts a tailpipe Tank-To-Wheels approach which results in zero emissions for all direct uses of electricity a Well-To-Wheels (WTW) method would allow accounting for the potential benefits of using sustainable fuels such as e-fuels. In this article we have performed a WTW-based comparison and modelling of the options for using electricity to supply heavy-duty vehicles: e-fuels eLNG eDiesel and liquid Hydrogen. Results showed that the direct use of electricity can provide high Greenhouse Gas (GHG) savings and also in the case of the e-fuels when low-carbonintensity electricity is used for their production. While most studies exclusively focus on absolute GHG savings potential considerations of the need for new infrastructures and the technological maturity of some options are fundamental to compare the different technologies. In this paper an assessment of such technological and non-technological barriers has been conducted in order to compare alternative pathways for the heavy-duty sector. Among the available options the flexibility of using drop-in energy-dense liquid fuels represents a clear and substantial immediate advantage for decarbonization. Additionally the novel approach adopted in this paper allows us to quantify the potential benefits of using e-fuels as chemical storage able to accumulate electricity from the production peaks of variable renewable energies which would otherwise be wasted due to grid limitations.
Exploring Hydrogen-Enriched Fuels and the Promise of HCNG in Industrial Dual-Fuel Engines
Mar 2024
Publication
This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the selected properties of HCNG fuel calculations and a literature review of the other fuels that allow the storage of ecologically produced hydrogen. Hydrogen has the most significant CO2 reduction potential of all known fuels. However its transmission in pure form is still problematic and its use as a component of fuels modified by it has now become an issue of interest for researchers. Many types of hydrogen-enriched fuels have been invented. However this article will describe the reasons why HCNG may be the hydrogen-enriched fuel of the future and why internal combustion (IC) piston engines working on two types of fuel could be the future method of using it. CO2 emissions are currently a serious problem in protecting the Earth’s natural climate. However secondarily power grid stabilization with a large share of electricity production from renewable energy sources must be stabilized with very flexible sources—as flexible as multi-fuel IC engines. Their use is becoming an essential element of the electricity power systems of Western countries and there is a chance to use fuels with zero or close to zero CO2 emissions like e-fuels and HCNG. Dual-fuel engines have become an effective way of using these types of fuels efficiently; therefore in this article the parameters of hydrogen-enriched fuel selected in terms of relevance to the use of IC engines are considered. Inaccuracies found in the literature analysis are discussed and the essential properties of HCNG and its advantages over other hydrogen-rich fuels are summarized in terms of its use in dual-fuel (DF) IC engines.
Water Consumption from Electrolytic Hydrogen in a Carbon-neutral US Energy System
Feb 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is an energy carrier with potential applications in decarbonizing difficult-to-electrify energy and industrial systems. The environmental profile of hydrogen varies substantially with its inputs. Water consumption is a particular issue of interest as decisions are made about capital and other investments that will affect the scale and scope of hydrogen use. This study focuses on electrolytic hydrogen due to its path to greenhouse gas neutrality and irreducible water demand (though other pathways might be more water intensive). Specifically it evaluates life cycle consumptive freshwater intensity of electrolytic hydrogen in the United States at volumes associated with 12 scenarios for a deeply decarbonized 2050 US energy system from two modeling efforts for which both electricity fuel mix and electrolytic hydrogen production were projected (America’s Zero Carbon Action Plan and Net Zero America) in addition to volumes for a stylized energy storage project (500 MW hydrogen-fired turbine). Freshwater requirements for hydrogen could be large. Under a central estimate for 2050 US electrolytic hydrogen production electrolytic freshwater demand for process and feedstock inputs alone (i.e. excluding water for electricity) would be about 7.5% of total 2014 US freshwater consumption for energy (1 billion cubic meters/year 109 m3 /y; [0.2% 15%] across scenarios for 2050 electrolytic hydrogen production of [0.3 18] exajoules EJ). Including water associated with production of input electricity doubles this central estimate to 15% (2 × 109 m3 /y; [1% 23%] across scenarios). Turbines using electrolytic hydrogen are estimated to be about as freshwater intensive as a coal or nuclear plant assuming decarbonized low-water electricity inputs. Although a decarbonized energy system is projected to require less water for resource capture and electricity conversion than the current fossil-dominated energy system additional conversion processes supporting decarbonization like electrolysis could offset water savings.
Large-scale Underground Hydrogen Storage: Integrated Modeling of a Reservoir-wellbore System
Jan 2023
Publication
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) has received significant attention over the past few years as hydrogen seems well-suited for adjusting seasonal energy gaps. We present an integrated reservoir-well model for “Viking A00 the depleted gas field in the North Sea as a potential site for UHS. Our findings show that utilizing the integrated model results in more reasonable predictions as the gas composition changes over time. Sensitivity analyses show that the lighter the cushion gas the more production can be obtained. However the purity of the produced hydrogen will be affected to some extent which can be enhanced by increasing the fill-up period and the injection rate. The results also show that even though hydrogen diffuses into the reservoir and mixes up with the native fluids (mainly methane) the impact of hydrogen diffusion is marginal. All these factors will potentially influence the project's economics.
Power Balance Control and Dimensioning of a Hybrid Off-grid Energy system for a Nordic Climate Townhouse
Mar 2023
Publication
This paper investigates conversion of a Nordic oil-heated townhouse into carbon-neutral by different energy efficiency (EE) improvements and an off-grid system including solar photovoltaics (PV) wind power and battery and hydrogen energy storage systems (BESS and HESS). A heat-pump-based heating system including waste heat recovery (WHR) from the HESS and an off-grid electrical system are dimensioned for the building by applying models developed in MATLAB and Microsoft Excel to study the life cycle costs (LCC). The work uses a measured electrical load profile and the heat generation of the new heating system and the power generation are simulated by commercial software. It is shown that the EE improvements and WHR from the HESS have a positive effect on the dimensioning of the off-grid system and the LCC can be reduced by up to €2 million. With the EE improvements and WHR the component dimensioning can be reduced by 22%–41% and 13%–51% on average respectively. WHR can cover up to 57% of the building's annual heat demand and full-power dimensioning of the heat pump is not reasonable when WHR is applied. Wind power was found to be very relevant in the Nordic conditions reducing the LCC by 32%.
Energy Recovery from Wastewater in Mexico: A Systematic Review
Feb 2023
Publication
The usage of fossil fuels to generate energy and the lack of wastewater treatment in Mexico are two issues that can be addressed at the same time while developing wastewater treatment technologies that incorporate energy recovery in their process train. We carried out a systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology to identify and review studies regarding energy recovery using wastewater as a substrate in Mexico. Peer-reviewed papers were identified through Scopus Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar using a timeframe of 22 years that represented from 2000 to 2022. After applying the selection criteria we identified 31 studies to be included in the final review starting from 2007. The kind of energy product type of technology used substrate wastewater amount of energy produced and main parameters for the operation of the technology were extracted from the papers. The results show that methane is the most researched energy recovery product from wastewater followed by hydrogen and electricity and the technology used to archive it is an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor to produce methane and hydrogen. In addition microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were preferred to produce electricity. According to our data more energy per kgCOD removed could be obtained with methane-recovering technologies in the Mexican peer-reviewed studies compared with hydrogen recovery and electricity production.
On the Technology of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Energy Systems for Stationary Power Generation: A Review
Nov 2022
Publication
This paper presents a comprehensive overview on the current status of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) energy systems technology with a deep insight into the techno-energy performance. In recent years SOFCs have received growing attention in the scientific landscape of high efficiency energy technologies. They are fuel flexible highly efficient and environmentally sustainable. The high working temperature makes it possible to work in cogeneration and drive downstream bottomed cycles such as Brayton and Hirn/Rankine ones thus configuring the hybrid system of a SOFC/turbine with very high electric efficiency. Fuel flexibility makes SOFCs independent from pure hydrogen feeding since hydrocarbons can be fed directly to the SOFC and then converted to a hydrogen rich stream by the internal thermochemical processes. SOFC is also able to convert carbon monoxide electrochemically thus contributing to energy production together with hydrogen. SOFCs are much considered for being supplied with biofuels especially biogas and syngas so that biomass gasifiers/SOFC integrated systems contribute to the “waste to energy” chain with a significant reduction in pollution. The paper also deals with the analysis of techno-energy performance by means of ad hoc developed numerical modeling in relation to the main operating parameters. Ample prominence is given to the aspect of fueling emphasizing fuel processing with a deep discussion on the impurities and undesired phenomena that SOFCs suffer. Constituent materials geometry and design methods for the balance of plant were studied. A wide analysis was dedicated to the hybrid system of the SOFC/turbine and to the integrated system of the biomass gasifier/SOFC. Finally an overview of SOFC system manufacturing companies on SOFC research and development worldwide and on the European roadmap was made to reflect the interest in this technology which is an important signal of how communities are sensitive toward clean low carbon and efficient technologies and therefore to provide a decisive and firm impulse to the now outlined energy transition.
OIES Podcast - Hydrogen Financing
Jan 2023
Publication
In this Podcast David Ledesma discusses with Stephen Craen Visiting Research Fellow OIES the challenges facing the financing of future hydrogen projects as it is expected that a substantial amount of capital will need to be invested in green hydrogen production to meet the 2050 net zero targets. Based around an ‘Archetype’ world scale hydrogen export project where 1 GW solar power is used to make green hydrogen which is converted to 250000 tpa green ammonia for export with a capital cost in the region of USD 2 billion the podcast discusses how ‘efficient financing’ can make an important contribution to minimising cost and making projects cost competitive. Stephen Craen argues that lenders and investors will look to precedents when assessing the nascent green hydrogen sector and the foremost will be LNG and offshore wind which both represent large-scale technically complex projects. Commercial structures of the green hydrogen business are expected to borrow concepts from offshore wind projects particularly in relation to price but also from LNG where this is relevant such as take-or-pay contracts. In this podcast we discuss the key issues that will need to be addressed to make a green hydrogen export project bankable concluding that commercial debt from either commercial banks or project bonds can help create competition.
The podcast can be found on their website.
The podcast can be found on their website.
Contribution to Net Zero Emissions of Integrating Hydrogen Production in Wastewater Treatment Plants
Jul 2023
Publication
The reliability of renewable hydrogen supply for off-take applications is critical to the future sustainable energy economy. Integrated water electrolysis can be deployed at distributed municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) creating opportunity for reduction in carbon emissions through direct and indirect use of the electrolysis output. A novel energy shifting process where the co-produced oxygen is compressed and stored to enhance the utilisation of intermittent renewable electricity is analysed. The hydrogen produced can be used in local fuel cell electric buses to replace incumbent diesel buses for public transport. However quantifying the extent of carbon emission reduction of this conceptual integrated system is key. In this study the integration of hydrogen production at a case study WWTP of 26000 EP capacity and using the hydrogen in buses was compared with two conventional systems: the base case of a WWTP with grid electricity consumption offset by solar PV and the community’s independent use of diesel buses for transport and the non-integrated configuration with hydrogen produced at the bus refuelling location operated independently of the WWTP. The system response was analysed using a Microsoft Excel simulation model with hourly time steps over a 12-month time frame. The model included a control scheme for the reliable supply of hydrogen for public transport and oxygen to the WWTP and considered expected reductions in carbon intensity of the national grid level of solar PV curtailment electrolyser efficiency and size of the solar PV system. Results showed that by 2031 when Australia’s national electricity is forecast to achieve a carbon intensity of less than 0.186 kg CO2-e/kWh integrating water electrolysis at a municipal WWTP for producing hydrogen for use in local hydrogen buses produced less carbon emissions than continuing to use diesel buses and offsetting emissions by exporting renewable electricity to the grid. By 2034 an annual reduction of 390 t–CO2–e is expected after changing to the integrated configuration. Considering electrolyser efficiency improvements and curtailment of renewable electricity the reduction increases to 872.8 t–CO2–e.
A Techno-Economic Study for Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Production Plants: The Case of Chile
Jul 2023
Publication
In this study we present a pre-feasibility analysis that examines the viability of implementing autonomous green hydrogen production plants in two strategic regions of Chile. With abundant renewable energy resources and growing interest in decarbonization in Chile this study aims to provide a comprehensive financial analysis from the perspective of project initiators. The assessment includes determining the optimal sizing of an alkaline electrolyzer stack seawater desalination system and solar and wind renewable energy farms and the focus is on conducting a comprehensive financial analysis from the perspective of project initiators to assess project profitability using key economic indicators such as net present value (NPV). The analyses involve determining appropriate sizing of an alkaline electrolyzer stack a seawater desalination system and solar and wind renewable energy farms. Assuming a base case production of 1 kiloton per year of hydrogen the capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) are determined. Then the manufacturing and production costs per kilogram of green hydrogen are calculated resulting in values of USD 3.53 kg−1 (utilizing wind energy) and USD 5.29 kg−1 (utilizing photovoltaic solar energy). Cash flows are established by adjusting the sale price of hydrogen to achieve a minimum expected return on investment of 4% per year yielding minimum prices of USD 7.84 kg−1 (with wind energy) and USD 11.10 kg−1 (with photovoltaic solar energy). Additionally a sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the impact of variations in investment and operational costs. This research provides valuable insights into the financial feasibility of green hydrogen production in Chile contributing to understanding renewable energy-based hydrogen projects and their potential economic benefits. These results can provide a reference for future investment decisions and the global development of green hydrogen production plants.
Can Methane Pyrolysis Based Hydrogen Production Lead to the Decarbonisation of Iron and Steel Industry?
Mar 2021
Publication
Decarbonisation of the iron and steel industry would require the use of innovative low-carbon production technologies. Use of 100% hydrogen in a shaft furnace (SF) to reduce iron ore has the potential to reduce emissions from iron and steel production significantly. In this work results from the techno-economic assessment of a H2-SF connected to an electric arc furnace(EAF) for steel production are presented under two scenarios. In the first scenario H2 is produced from molten metal methane pyrolysis in an electrically heated liquid metal bubble column reactor. Grid connected low-temperature alkaline electrolyser was considered for H2 production in the second scenario. In both cases 59.25 kgH2 was required for the production of one ton of liquid steel (tls). The specific energy consumption (SEC) for the methane pyrolysis based system was found to be 5.16 MWh/tls. The system used 1.51 MWh/tls of electricity and required 263 kg/tls of methane corresponding to an energy consumption of 3.65 MWh/tls. The water electrolysis based system consumed 3.96 MWh/tls of electricity at an electrolyser efficiency of 50 KWh/kgH2. Both systems have direct emissions of 129.4 kgCO2/tls. The indirect emissions are dependent on the source of natural gas pellet making process and the grid-emission factor. Indirect emissions for the electrolysis based system could be negligible if the electricity is generated from renewable energy sources. The levellized cost of production(LCOP) was found to be $631 and $669 respectively at a discount rate of 8% for a plant-life of 20 years. The LCOP of a natural gas reforming based direct reduction steelmaking plant of operating under similar conditions was found to be $414. Uncertainty analysis was conducted for the NPV and IRR values.
Ireland National Hydrogen Strategy
Jul 2023
Publication
The National Hydrogen Strategy sets out the strategic vision on the role that hydrogen will play in Ireland’s energy system looking to its long-term role as a key component of a zero-carbon economy and the short-term actions that need to be delivered over the coming years to enable the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland.<br/>The Strategy is being developed for three primary reasons:<br/>1. Decarbonising our economy providing a solution to hard to decarbonise sectors where electrification is not feasible or cost-effective<br/>2. Enhancing our energy security through the development of an indigenous zero carbon renewable fuel which can act as an alternative to the 77% of our energy system which today relies on fossil fuel imports<br/>3. Developing industrial opportunities through the potential development of export markets for renewable hydrogen and other areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels<br/>The Strategy considers the needs of the entire hydrogen value chain including production end-uses transportation and storage safety regulation markets innovation and skills.<br/>It also sets out that Ireland will focus its efforts on the scale up and production of renewable ""green"" hydrogen as it supports both our decarbonisation needs and energy security needs given our vast indigenous renewable resources. Renewable hydrogen is a renewable and zero-carbon fuel that can play a key role in the ""difficult-to-decarbonise"" sectors of our economy where other solutions such as direct electrification are not feasible or cost effective.<br/>In the coming years renewable hydrogen is envisioned to play an important role as a zero-emission source of dispatchable flexible electricity as a long duration store of renewable energy in decarbonising industrial processes and as a transport fuel in sectors such as heavy goods transport maritime and aviation. The Strategy will provide clarity for stakeholders on how we expect the hydrogen economy to develop and scale up over the coming decades across the entire value chain.
Assessment of a Fully Renewable System for the Total Decarbonization of the Economy with Full Demand Coverage on Islands Connected to a Central Grid: The Balearic Case in 2040
Jul 2023
Publication
The transition to clean electricity generation is a crucial focus for achieving the current objectives of economy decarbonization. The Balearic Archipelago faces significant environmental economic and social challenges in shifting from a predominantly fossil fuel-based economy to one based on renewable sources. This study proposes implementing a renewable energy mix and decarbonizing the economy of the Balearic Islands by 2040. The proposed system involves an entirely renewable generation system with interconnections between the four Balearic islands and the Spanish mainland grid via a 650 MW submarine cable. This flexible electrical exchange can cover approximately 35% of the peak demand of 1900 MW. The scenario comprises a 6 GWp solar photovoltaic system a wind system of under 1.2 GWp and a 600 MW biomass system as generation sub-systems. A vanadium redox flow battery sub-system with a storage capacity of approximately 21 GWh and 2.5 GWp power is available to ensure system manageability. This system’s levelized electricity cost (LCOE) is around 13.75 cEUR/kWh. The design also incorporates hydrogen as an alternative for difficult-to-electrify uses achieving effective decarbonization of all final energy uses. A production of slightly over 5 × 104 tH2 per year is required with 1.7 GW of electrolyzer power using excess electricity and water resources. The system enables a significant level of economy decarbonization although it requires substantial investments in both generation sources and storage.
Characterization of the Hydrogen Combustion Process in a Scramjet Engine
May 2024
Publication
In this paper by using a large eddy simulation we study the combustion process in the HyShot II scramjet combustor. By conducting a detailed analysis of the mass-fraction distributions of the main species such as H2 H2O and the radicals OH and HO2 of the mass source terms of these main species and of the chemical source term of the energy equation we detect the regions where chemical reactions occur through a diffusion process and the regions where auto-ignition and premixed combustion may develop. The analysis indicates that the combustion process is mainly of diffusive type along a thin shear layer enveloping the hydrogen plume whereas there could be some auto-ignition and/or premixed combustion cores inside the plume.
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