Applications & Pathways
Green Hydrogen for Ammonia Production - A Case for the Netherlands
Jul 2023
Publication
An integrated system is studied to supply green hydrogen feedstock for ammonia production in the Netherlands. The system is modeled to compare wind and solar resources when coupled to Alkaline Electrolysis (AEL) and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis (PEMEL) technologies with a compressed hydrogen storage system. The nominal installed capacity of the electrolysis plant is around 2.3 GW with the most suitable energy source offshore wind and the preferred storage technology pressurized tubes. For Alkaline Electrolysis and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis technologies the levelized cost of hydrogen is 5.30 V/kg H2 and 6.03 V/kg H2 respectively.
Experimental Comparison of Hydrogen Refueling with Directly Pressurized vs. Cascade Method
Aug 2023
Publication
This paper presents a comparative analysis of two hydrogen station configurations during the refueling process: the conventional “directly pressurized refueling process” and the innovative “cascade refueling process.” The objective of the cascade process is to refuel vehicles without the need for booster compressors. The experiments were conducted at the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility located at California State University Los Angeles. In the cascade refueling process the facility buffer tanks were utilized as high-pressure storage enabling the refueling operation. Three different scenarios were tested: one involving the cascade refueling process and two involving compressor-driven refueling processes. On average each refueling event delivered 1.6 kg of hydrogen. Although the cascade refueling process using the high-pressure buffer tanks did not achieve the pressure target it resulted in a notable improvement in the nozzle outlet temperature trend reducing it by approximately 8 ◦C. Moreover the overall hydrogen chiller load for the two directly pressurized refuelings was 66 Wh/kg and 62 Wh/kg respectively whereas the cascading process only required 55 Wh/kg. This represents a 20% and 12% reduction in energy consumption compared to the scenarios involving booster compressors during fueling. The observed refueling range of 150–350 bar showed that the cascade process consistently required 12–20% less energy for hydrogen chilling. Additionally the nozzle outlet temperature demonstrated an approximate 8 ◦C improvement within this pressure range. These findings indicate that further improvements can be expected in the high-pressure region specifically above 350 bar. This research suggests the potential for significant improvements in the high-pressure range emphasizing the viability of the cascade refueling process as a promising alternative to the direct compression approach.
Simulation and Analysis of Hybrid Hydrogen-battery Renewable Energy Storage for Off-electric-grid Dutch Household System
May 2024
Publication
The intermittency of renewable energy technologies requires adequate storage technologies. Hydrogen systems consisting of electrolysers storage tanks and fuel cells can be implemented as well as batteries. The requirements of the hydrogen purification unit is missing from literature. We measured the same for a 4.5 kW PEM electrolyser to be 0.8 kW for 10 min. A simulation to hybridize the hydrogen system including its purification unit with lithium-ion batteries for energy storage is presented; the batteries also support the electrolyser. We simulated a scenario for operating a Dutch household off-electric-grid using solar and wind electricity to find the capacities and costs of the components of the system. Although the energy use of the purification unit is small it influences the operation of the system affecting the sizing of the components. The battery as a fast response efficient secondary storage system increases the ability of the electrolyser to start up.
Experimental Aspects of the Hydrogen Use at Diesel Engine
May 2017
Publication
In the global content regarding the impact on the environmental of the gases emissions resulted from the fossil fuels combustion aspect discussed on the 2015 Paris Climate Conference contribute to the necessity of searching of alternative energy from durable and renewable resources. The purpose of the paper is the use of hydrogen fuelling at truck diesel engine in order to improves engine efficiency and pollutant performance hydrogen being injected into the inlet manifold. Experimental results show better energetic and pollution performance of the dual fuelled engine due to the improvement of the combustion process and reduction of carbon content.
Rule-Based Operation Mode Control Strategy for the Energy Management of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
Jun 2024
Publication
Hydrogen due to its high energy density stands out as an energy storage method for the car industry in order to reduce the impact of the automotive sector on air pollution and global warming. The fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) emerges as a modification of the electric car by adding a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) to the battery pack and electric motor that is capable of converting hydrogen into electric energy. In order to control the energy flow of so many elements an optimal energy management system (EMS) is needed where rule-based strategies represent the smallest computational burden and are the most widely used in the industry. In this work a rulebased operation mode control strategy for the EMS of an FCEV validated by different driving cycles and several tests at the strategic points of the battery state of charge (SOC) is proposed. The results obtained in the new European driving cycle (NEDC) show the 12 kW battery variation of 2% and a hydrogen consumption of 1.2 kg/100 km compared to the variation of 1.42% and a consumption of 1.08 kg/100 km obtained in the worldwide harmonized light-duty test cycle (WLTC). Moreover battery tests have demonstrated the optimal performance of the proposed EMS strategy
Green Fleet: A Prototype Biogas and Hydrogen Refueling Management System for Private Fleet Stations
Aug 2023
Publication
Biogas and hydrogen (H2 ) are breaking through as alternative energy sources in road transport specifically for heavy-duty vehicles. Until a public network of service stations is deployed for such vehicles the owners of large fleets will need to build and manage their own refueling facilities. Fleet refueling management and remote monitoring at these sites will become key business needs. This article describes the construction of a prototype system capable of solving those needs. During the design and development process of the prototype the standard industry protocols involved in these installations have been considered and the latest expertise in information technology systems has been applied. This prototype has been essential to determine the Strengths Challenges Opportunities and Risks (SCOR) of such a system which is the first step of a more ambitious project. A second stage will involve setting up a pilot study and developing a commercial system that can be widely installed to provide a real solution for the industry.
Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy System with Load Following for Fast Charging Stations
May 2023
Publication
The transportation sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained popularity as a solution to reduce emissions but the high load of charging stations poses a challenge to the power grid. Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems (N-RHES) present a promising alternative to support fast charging stations reduce grid dependency and decrease emissions. However the intermittent problem of renewable energy sources (RESs) limits their application and the synergies among different technologies have not been fully exploited. This paper proposes a predictive and adaptive control strategy to optimize the energy management of N-RHES for fast charging stations considering the integration of nuclear photovoltaics and wind turbine energy with a hydrogen storage fuel cell system. The proposed dynamic model of a fast-charging station predicts electricity consumption behavior during charging processes generating probabilistic forecasting of electricity consumption time-series profiling. Key performance indicators and sensitivity analyses illustrate the practicability of the suggested system which offers a comprehensive solution to provide reliable sustainable and low-emission energy to fast-charging stations while reducing emissions and dependency on the power grid.
Can Hydrogen Storage in Metal Hydrides be Economically Competitive with Compressed and Liquid Hydrogen Storage? A Techno-economical Perspective for the Maritime Sector
Aug 2023
Publication
The aim of this work is to evaluate if metal hydride hydrogen storage tanks are a competitive alternative for onboard hydrogen storage in the maritime sector when compared to compressed gas and liquid hydrogen storage. This is done by modelling different hydrogen supply and onboard storage scenarios and evaluating their levelized cost of hydrogen variables. The levelized cost of hydrogen for each case is calculated considering the main components that are required for the refueling infrastructure and adding up the costs of hydrogen production compression transport onshore storage dispensing and the cost of the onboard tanks when known. The results show that the simpler refueling needs of metal hydride-based onboard tanks result in a significant cost reduction of the hydrogen handling equipment. This provides a substantial leeway for the investment costs of metal hydride-based storage which depending on the scenario can be between 3400 - 7300 EUR/kgH2 while remaining competitive with compressed hydrogen storage.
A Hydrogen Supply-chain Model Powering Australian Isolated Communities
Oct 2023
Publication
This article proposes a supply chain-based green hydrogen microgrid modelling for a number of remote Australian communities. Green hydrogen can be used as an emissions-free fuel source for electricity generation in places where large-scale renewable energy production is impossible due to land availability population or government regulations. This research focuses on the Torres Strait Island communities in northern Australia where the transition from diesel to renewable electricity generation is difficult due to very limited land availability on most islands. Due to geographical constraints low population and smaller electrical load the green hydrogen needs to be sourced from somewhere else. This research presents a green hydrogen supply chain model that leverages the land availability of one island to produce hydrogen to supply other island communities. In addition this research presents a model of producing and transporting green hydrogen while supplying cheaper electricity to the communities at focus. The study has used a transitional scenario planning approach and the HOMER simulation platform to find the least-cost solution. Based on the results a levelised cost of energy range of AU$0.42 and AU$0.44 was found. With the help of a green hydrogen supply chain CO2 emissions at the selected sites could be cut by 90 %. This study can be used as a guide for small clustered communities that could not support or justify large-scale renewable generation facilities but need more opportunities to install renewable generation.
Examining Real-Road Fuel Consumption Performance of Hydrogen-Fueled Series Hybrid Vehicles
Oct 2023
Publication
The use of hydrogen fuel produced from renewable energy sources is an effective way to reduce well-to-wheel CO2 emissions from automobiles. In this study the performance of a hydrogen-powered series hybrid vehicle was compared with that of other powertrains such as gasoline-powered hybrid fuel cell and electric vehicles in a simulation that could estimate CO2 emissions under real-world driving conditions. The average fuel consumption of the hydrogenpowered series hybrid vehicle exceeded that of the gasoline-powered series hybrid vehicle under all conditions and was better than that of the fuel cell vehicle under urban and winding conditions with frequent acceleration and deceleration. The driving range was longer than that of the batterypowered vehicle but approximately 60% of that of the gasoline-powered series hybrid. Regarding the life-cycle assessment of CO2 emissions fuel cell and electric vehicles emitted more CO2 during the manufacturing process. Regarding fuel production CO2 emissions from hydrogen and electric vehicles depend on the energy source. However in the future this problem can be solved by using carbon-free energy sources for fuel production. Therefore hydrogen-powered series hybrid vehicles show a high potential to be environmentally friendly alternative fuel vehicles.
Well-To-Wheels Analysis of Future Automotive Fuels and Powertrains in the European Context
Jun 2014
Publication
The Well-to-Tank study describes the process of producing transporting manufacturing and distributing a number of fuels suitable for road transport powertrains. It covers all steps from extracting capturing or growing the primary energy carrier to refuelling the vehicles with the finished fuel.
Sustainable Power Generation Expansion in Island Systems with Extensive RES and Energy Storage
Oct 2023
Publication
Insular networks constitute ideal fields for investment in renewables and storage due to their excellent wind and solar potential as well the high generation cost of thermal generators in such networks. Nevertheless in order to ensure the stability of insular networks network operators impose strict restrictions on the expansion of renewables. Storage systems render ideal solutions for overcoming the aforementioned restrictions unlocking additional renewable capacity. Among storage technologies hybrid battery-hydrogen demonstrates beneficial characteristics thanks to the complementary features that battery and hydrogen exhibit regarding efficiency self-discharge cost etc. This paper investigates the economic feasibility of a private investment in renewables and hybrid hydrogen-battery storage realized on the interconnected island of Crete Greece. Specifically an optimization formulation is proposed to optimize the capacity of renewables and hybrid batteryhydrogen storage in order to maximize the profit of investment while simultaneously reaching a minimum renewable penetration of 80% in accordance with Greek decarbonization goals. The numerical results presented in this study demonstrate that hybrid hydrogen-battery storage can significantly reduce electricity production costs in Crete potentially reaching as low as 64 EUR/MWh. From an investor’s perspective even with moderate compensation tariffs the energy transition remains profitable due to Crete’s abundant wind and solar resources. For instance with a 40% subsidy and an 80 EUR/MWh compensation tariff the net present value can reach EUR 400 million. Furthermore the projected cost reductions for electrolyzers and fuel cells by 2030 are expected to enhance the profitability of hybrid renewable-battery-hydrogen projects. In summary this research underscores the sustainable and economically favorable prospects of hybrid hydrogen-battery storage systems in facilitating Crete’s energy transition with promising implications for investors and the wider renewable energy sector.
Power Cost and CO2 Emissions for a Microgrid with Hydrogen Storage and Electric Vehicles
Nov 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is considered the primary energy source of the future. The best use of hydrogen is in microgrids that have renewable energy sources (RES). These sources have a small impact on the environment when it comes to carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions and a power generation cost close to that of conventional power plants. Therefore it is important to study the impact on the environment and the power cost. The proposed microgrid comprises loads RESs (micro-hydro and photovoltaic power plants) a hydrogen storage tank an electric battery and fuel cell vehicles. The power cost and CO2 emissions are calculated and compared for various scenarios including the four seasons of the year compared with the work of other researchers. The purpose of this paper is to continuously supply the loads and vehicles. The results show that the microgrid sources and hydrogen storage can supply consumers during the spring and summer. For winter and autumn the power grid and steam reforming of natural gas must be used to cover the demand. The highest power costs and CO2 emissions are for winter while the lowest are for spring. The power cost increases during winter between 20:00 and 21:00 by 336%. The CO2 emissions increase during winter by 8020%.
Technology Assessment for the Transition to a Renewable Electric Grid
Jun 2024
Publication
To reduce carbon emissions generation of electricity from combustion systems is being replaced by renewable resources. However the most abundant renewable sources – solar and wind – are not dispatchable vary diurnally and are subject to intermittency and produce electricity at times in excess of demand (excess production). To manage this variability and capture the excess renewable energy energy storage technologies are being developed and deployed such as battery energy storage (BES) hydrogen production with electrolyzers (ELY) paired with hydrogen energy storage (HES) and fuel cells (FCs) and renewable natural gas (RNG) production. While BES may be better suited for short duration storage hydrogen is suited for long duration storage and RNG can decarbonize the natural gas system. California Senate Bill 100 (SB100) sets a goal that all retail electricity sold in the State must be sourced from renewable and zero-carbon resources by 2045 raising the questions of which set of technologies and in what proportion are required to meet the 2045 target in the required timeframe as well as the role of the natural gas infrastructure if any. To address these questions this study combines electric grid dispatch modeling and optimization to identify the energy storage and dispatchable technologies in 5-year increments from 2030 to 2045 required to transition from a 60% renewable electric grid in 2035 to a 100% renewable electric grid in 2045. The results show that by utilizing the established natural gas system to store and transmit hydrogen and RNG the deployment of battery energy storage is dramatically reduced. The required capacity for BES in 2045 for example is 40 times lower by leveraging the natural gas infrastructure with a concomitant reduction in cost and associated challenges to transform the electric grid.
Hydrogen Storage as a Key Energy Vector for Car Transportation: A Tutorial Review
Oct 2023
Publication
Hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the extensive use of hydrogen as energy carrier. This is particularly true in the widespread introduction of hydrogen in car transportation. Indeed one of the greatest technological barriers for such development is an efficient and safe storage method. So in this tutorial review the existing hydrogen storage technologies are described with a special emphasis on hydrogen storage in hydrogen cars: the current and the ongoing solutions. A particular focus is given on solid storage and some of the recent advances on plasma hydrogen ion implantation which should allow not only the preparation of metal hydrides but also the imagination of a new refluing circuit. From hydrogen discovery to its use as an energy vector in cars this review wants to be as exhaustive as possible introducing the basics of hydrogen storage and discussing the experimental practicalities of car hydrogen fuel. It wants to serve as a guide for anyone wanting to undertake such a technology and to equip the reader with an advanced knowledge on hydrogen storage and hydrogen storage in hydrogen cars to stimulate further researches and yet more innovative applications for this highly interesting field.
Decarbonization of the Steel Industry: A Techno-economic Analysis
Jan 2022
Publication
A substantial CO2-emmissions abatement from the steel sector seems to be a challenging task without support of so-called “breakthrough technologies” such as the hydrogen-based direct reduction process. The scope of this work is to evaluate both the potential for the implementation of green hydrogen generated via electrolysis in the direct reduction process as well as the constraints. The results for this process route are compared with both the well-established blast furnace route as well as the natural gas-based direct reduction which is considered as a bridge technology towards decarbonization as it already operates with H2 and CO as main reducing agents. The outcomes obtained from the operation of a 6-MW PEM electrolysis system installed as part of the H2FUTURE project provide a basis for this analysis. The CO2 reduction potential for the various routes together with an economic study are the main results of this analysis. Additionally the corresponding hydrogen- and electricity demands for large-scale adoption across Europe are presented in order to rate possible scenarios for the future of steelmaking towards a carbon-lean industry.
Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Energy Management for Liquid Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Electric Ship Propulsion System
Oct 2023
Publication
This study proposed a deep reinforcement learning-based energy management strategy (DRL-EMS) that can be applied to a hybrid electric ship propulsion system (HSPS) integrating liquid hydrogen (LH2 ) fuel gas supply system (FGSS) proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and lithium-ion battery systems. This study analyzed the optimized performance of the DRL-EMS and the operational strategy of the LH2 -HSPS. To train the proposed DRL-EMS a reward function was defined based on fuel consumption and degradation of power sources during operation. Fuel consumption for ship propulsion was estimated with the power for balance of plant (BOP) of the LH2 FGSS and PEMFC system. DRL-EMS demonstrated superior global and real-time optimality compared to benchmark algorithms namely dynamic programming (DP) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP)-based EMS. For various operation cases not used in training DRL-EMS resulted in 0.7% to 9.2% higher operating expenditure compared to DP-EMS. Additionally DRL-EMS was trained to operate 60% of the total operation time in the maximum efficiency range of the PEMFC system. Different hydrogen fuel costs did not affect the optimized operational strategy although the operating expenditure (OPEX) was dependent on the hydrogen fuel cost. Different capacities of the battery system did not considerably change the OPEX.
Coordinated Control of a Wind-Methanol-Fuel Cell System with Hydrogen Storage
Dec 2017
Publication
This paper presents a wind-methanol-fuel cell system with hydrogen storage. It can manage various energy flow to provide stable wind power supply produce constant methanol and reduce CO2 emissions. Firstly this study establishes the theoretical basis and formulation algorithms. And then computational experiments are developed with MATLAB/Simulink (R2016a MathWorks Natick MA USA). Real data are used to fit the developed models in the study. From the test results the developed system can generate maximum electricity whilst maintaining a stable production of methanol with the aid of a hybrid energy storage system (HESS). A sophisticated control scheme is also developed to coordinate these actions to achieve satisfactory system performance.
Research Progress on Gas Supply System of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Jun 2024
Publication
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are attracting attention for their green energy-saving and high-efficiency advantages becoming one of the future development trends of renewable energy utilization. However there are still deficiencies in the gas supply system control strategy that plays a crucial role in PEMFCs which limits the rapid development and application of PEMFCs. This paper provides a comprehensive and in-depth review of the PEMFC air delivery system (ADS) and hydrogen delivery system (HDS) operations. For the ADS the advantages and disadvantages of the oxygen excess ratio (OER) oxygen pressure and their decoupling control strategies are systematically described by the following three aspects: single control hybrid control and intelligent algorithm control. Additionally the optimization strategies of the flow field or flow channel for oxygen supply speeds and distribution uniformity are compared and analyzed. For the HDS a systematic review of hydrogen recirculation control strategies purge strategies and hydrogen flow control strategies is conducted. These strategies contribute a lot to improving hydrogen utilization rates. Furthermore hydrogen supply pressure is summarized from the aspects of hybrid control and intelligent algorithm control. It is hoped to provide guidance or a reference for research on the HDS as well as the ADS control strategy and optimization strategy
A Multicriteria Modeling Approach for Evaluating Power Generation Scenarios Under Uncertainty: The Case of Green Hydrogen in Greece
Oct 2023
Publication
Clean energy technological innovations are widely acknowledged as a prerequisite to achieving ambitious longterm energy and climate targets. However the optimal speed of their adoption has been parsimoniously studied in the literature. This study seeks to identify the optimal intensity of moving to a green hydrogen electricity sector in Greece using the OSeMOSYS energy modeling framework. Green hydrogen policies are evaluated first on the basis of their robustness against uncertainty and afterwards against conflicting performance criteria and for different decision-making profiles towards risk by applying the VIKOR and TOPSIS multi-criteria decision aid methods. Although our analysis focuses exclusively on the power sector and compares different rates of hydrogen penetration compared to a business-as-usual case without considering other game-changing innovations (such as other types of storage or carbon capture and storage) we find that a national transition to a green hydrogen economy can support Greece in potentially cutting at least 16 MtCO2 while stimulating investments of EUR 10–13 bn. over 2030–2050.
Semi-Solid Forging Process of Aluminium Alloy Connecting Rods for the Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine
Jun 2024
Publication
As an important piece of equipment for hydrogen energy application the hydrogen internal combustion engine is helpful for the realization of zero carbon emissions where the aluminum connecting rod is one of the key core components. A semi-solid forging forming process for the 7075 aluminum alloy connecting rod is proposed in this work. The influence of process parameters such as the forging ratio sustaining temperature and duration time on the microstructures of the semi-solid blank is experimentally investigated. The macroscopic morphology metallographic structure and physical properties of the connecting-rod parts are analyzed. Reasonable process parameters for preparing the semi-solid blank are obtained from the experimental results. Under the reasonable parameters the average grain size is 41.48~42.57 µm and the average shape factor is 0.80~0.81. The yield strength and tensile strength improvement ratio of the connecting rod produced by the proposed process are 47.07% and 20.89% respectively.
Carbon-Free Heat Production for High-Temperature Heating Systems
Oct 2023
Publication
The article presents a new carbon-free heat production technology for district heating which consists of a combined heat and power generation fuel cell (FC CHP) with CO2 capture and a two-stage cascade high-temperature heat pump (TCHHP). The FC generates heat and electricity the latter being used to drive the compressors of the TCHHP. During the winter period the water temperature achieved can occasionally be too low so it would be heated up with hydrogen gas boilers. The hydrogen would be produced by reforming natural gas synthetic methane or biogas. The results are presented with natural gas utilization—the ratio between the obtained heat flow transferred directly to the water for district heating and the input heat flow of natural gas. In the case of a return water temperature of 60 ◦C and district heating temperature of 85 ◦C the TCHHP whose heat source is groundwater achieves plant efficiency of 270.04% in relation to the higher heating value (HHV) and 241.74% in relation to the lower heating value (LHV) of natural gas. A case with a TCHHP whose heat source is low-temperature geothermal water achieves a plant efficiency of 361.36% in relation to the HHV and 323.49% in relation to the LHV
Literature Review of Hydrogen Energy Systems and Renewable Energy Sources
Nov 2023
Publication
The role of hydrogen as a clean energy source is a promising but also a contentious issue. The global energy production is currently characterized by an unprecedented shift to renewable energy sources (RES) and their technologies. However the local and environmental benefits of such RES-based technologies show a wide variety of technological maturity with a common mismatch to local RES stocks and actual utilization levels of RES exploitation. In this literature review the collected documents taken from the Scopus database using relevant keywords have been organized in homogeneous clusters and are accompanied by the registration of the relevant studies in the form of one figure and one table. In the second part of this review selected representations of typical hydrogen energy system (HES) installations in realistic in-field applications have been developed. Finally the main concerns challenges and future prospects of HES against a multi-parametric level of contributing determinants have been critically approached and creatively discussed. In addition key aspects and considerations of the HES-RES convergence are concluded.
Caveats of Green Hydrogen for Decarbonisation of Heating in Buildings
Oct 2023
Publication
Hydrogen (H2) has rapidly become a topic of great attention when discussing routes to net-zero carbon emissions. About 14% of CO2 emissions globally are directly associated with domestic heating in buildings. Replacing natural gas (NG) with H2 for heating has been highlighted as a rapid alternative for mitigating these emissions. To realise this not only the production challenges but also potential obstacles in the transmission/distribution and combustion of H2 must be technically identified and discussed. This review in addition to delineating the challenges of H2 in NG grid pipelines and H2 combustion also collates the results of the state-of-the-art technologies in H2-based heating systems. We conclude that the sustainability of water and renewable electricity resources strongly depends on sizing siting service life of electrolysis plants and post-electrolysis water disposal plans. 100% H2 in pipelines requires major infrastructure upgrades including production transmission pressurereduction stations distribution and boiler rooms. H2 leakage instigates more environmental risks than economic ones. With optimised boilers burning H2 could reduce GHG emissions and obtain an appropriate heating efficiency; more data from boiler manufacturers must be provided. Overall green H2 is not the only solution to decarbonise heating in buildings and it should be pursued abreast of other heating technologies.
Hydrogen in Aviation: A Simulation of Demand, Price Dynamics, and CO2 Emission Reduction Potentials
Mar 2024
Publication
Aviation contributes to anthropogenic climate change by emitting both carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-CO2 emissions through the combustion of fossil fuels. One approach to reduce the climate impact of aviation is the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Two distinct technological options are presently under consideration for the implementation of hydrogen in aviation: hydrogen fuel cell architectures and the direct combustion of hydrogen. In this study a hydrogen demand model is developed that considers anticipated advancements in liquid hydrogen aircraft technologies forecasted aviation demand and aircraft startup and retirement cycles. The analysis indicates that global demand for liquid hydrogen in aviation could potentially reach 17 million tons by 2050 leading to a 9% reduction in CO2 emissions from global aviation. Thus the total potential of hydrogen in aviation extends beyond this considering that the total market share of hydrogen aircraft on suitable routes in the model is projected to be only 27% in 2050 due to aircraft retirement cycles. Additionally it is shown that achieving the potential demand for hydrogen in aviation depends on specific market prices. With anticipated declines in current production costs hydrogen fuel costs would need to reach about 70 EUR/MWh by 2050 to fulfill full demand in aviation assuming biofuels provide the cheapest option for decarbonization alongside hydrogen. If e-fuels are the sole option for decarbonization alongside hydrogen which is the more probable scenario the entire hydrogen demand potential in aviation would be satisfied according to this study’s estimates at significantly higher hydrogen prices approximately 180 EUR/MWh.
Decarbonising the Refinery Sector: A Socio-technical Analysis of Advanced Biofuels, Green Hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage Developments in Sweden
Nov 2021
Publication
The oil refinery industry is one of the major energy users and responsible for a large proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This sector is facing multiple sustainability-related transformation pressures forcing the industry to adapt to changing market conditions. The transition to a low-carbon economy will require oil refineries to adopt decarbonisation technologies like advanced biofuels green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS). However the development and implementation of these technologies is not a straightforward process and may be inhibited by lock-in and path dependency. This paper draws on expert interviews and combines the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) and Multi-level Perspective (MLP) frameworks to examining the niche level development of three emerging technologies in the context of deep decarbonisation of refinery. This research finds that the development of the three decarbonisation technologies shares some of the challenges and opportunities and exhibits technology interdependency to some extent. Among the three TISs advanced biofuel is the most mature in terms of knowledge base actor-network legislation framework and market function. Green hydrogen and CCS encounter stronger momentum than before and can benefit from possible synergies across various sectors. However the analysis also reveals the lack of market formation mainly due to the lack of policy instruments for niche markets. Here policy recommendations for accelerating deep decarbonisation of the oil refinery industry are discussed. Finally we contribute to the sustainability transitions literature by exploring the dynamics of emerging TISs for industrial decarbonisation.
Performance and Failure Analysis of a Retrofitted Cessna Aircraft with a Fuel Cell Power System Fuelled with Liquid Hydrogen
Jan 2022
Publication
Proton-Exchange Membrane-Fuel Cells (PEM-FC) are regarded as one of the prime candidates to provide emissions-free electricity for propulsion systems of aircraft. Here a turbocharged Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) powered with liquid H2 (LH2) is designed and modelled to provide a primary power source in retrofitted Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft. The proposed FCPS comprises multiple PEM-FCs assembled in stacks two single-stage turbochargers to mitigate the variation of the ambient pressure with altitude two preheaters two humidifiers and two combustors. Interlinked component sub-models are constructed in MATLAB and referenced to commercially available equipment. The FCPS model is used to simulate steady-state responses in a proposed 1.5 h (∼350 km) mission flight determining the overall efficiency of the FCPS at 43% and hydrogen consumption of ∼28 kg/h. The multi-stack FCPS is modelled applying parallel fluidic and electrical architectures analysing two power-sharing methods: equally distributed and daisy-chaining. The designed LH2-FCPS is then proposed as a power system to a retrofitted Cessna 208 Caravan and with this example analysed for the probability of failure occurrence. The results demonstrate that the proposed “dual redundant” FCPS can reach failure rates comparable to commercial jet engines with a rate below 1.6 failures per million hours.
An Optimization-Based Model for A Hybrid Photovoltaic-Hydrogen Storage System for Agricultural Operations in Saudi Arabia
Apr 2023
Publication
Renewable energy technologies and resources particularly solar photovoltaic systems provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for meeting the demand for electricity. The design of such systems is a critical task as it has a significant impact on the overall cost of the system. In this paper a mixed-integer linear programming-based model is proposed for designing an integrated photovoltaic-hydrogen renewable energy system to minimize total life costs for one of Saudi Arabia’s most important fields a greenhouse farm. The aim of the proposed system is to determine the number of photovoltaic (PV) modules the amount of hydrogen accumulated over time and the number of hydrogen tanks. In addition binary decision variables are used to describe either-or decisions on hydrogen tank charging and discharging. To solve the developed model an exact approach embedded in the general algebraic modeling System (GAMS) software was utilized. The model was validated using a farm consisting of 20 greenhouses a worker-housing area and a water desalination station with hourly energy demand. The findings revealed that 1094 PV panels and 1554 hydrogen storage tanks are required to meet the farm’s load demand. In addition the results indicated that the annual energy cost is $228234 with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.12 $/kWh. On the other hand the proposed model reduced the carbon dioxide emissions to 882 tons per year. These findings demonstrated the viability of integrating an electrolyzer fuel cell and hydrogen tank storage with a renewable energy system; nevertheless the cost of energy produced remains high due to the high capital cost. Moreover the findings indicated that hydrogen technology can be used as an energy storage solution when the production of renewable energy systems is variable as well as in other applications such as the industrial residential and transportation sectors. Furthermore the results revealed the feasibility of employing renewable energy as a source of energy for agricultural operations.
Progress in Energy Storage Technologies and Methods for Renewable Energy Systems Application
May 2023
Publication
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research progress current state-ofthe-art and future research directions of energy storage systems. With the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power the discourse around energy storage is primarily focused on three main aspects: battery storage technology electricity-to-gas technology for increasing renewable energy consumption and optimal configuration technology. The paper employs a visualization tool (CiteSpace) to analyze the existing works of literature and conducts an in-depth examination of the energy storage research hotspots in areas such as electrochemical energy storage hydrogen storage and optimal system configuration. It presents a detailed overview of common energy storage models and configuration methods. Based on the reviewed articles the future development of energy storage will be more oriented toward the study of power characteristics and frequency characteristics with more focus on the stability effects brought by transient shocks. This review article compiles and assesses various energy storage technologies for reference and future research.
Energy Management Strategy Based on Dynamic Programming with Durability Extension for Fuel Cell Hybrid Tramway
Sep 2021
Publication
This paper proposes an energy management strategy for a fuel cell (FC) hybrid power system based on dynamic programming and state machine strategy which takes into account the durability of the FC and the hydrogen consumption of the system. The strategy first uses the principle of dynamic programming to solve the optimal power distribution between the FC and supercapacitor (SC) and then uses the optimization results of dynamic programming to update the threshold values in each state of the finite state machine to realize real-time management of the output power of the FC and SC. An FC/SC hybrid tramway simulation platform is established based on RTLAB real-time simulator. The compared results verify that the proposed EMS can improve the durability of the FC increase its working time in the high-efficiency range effectively reduce the hydrogen consumption and keep the state of charge in an ideal range.
The Role of Biomass Gasification in Low-carbon Energy and Transport Systems
Mar 2021
Publication
The design of future energy systems requires the efficient use of all available renewable resources. Biomass can complement variable renewable energy sources by ensuring energy system flexibility and providing a reliable feedstock to produce renewable fuels. We identify biomass gasification suitable to utilise the limited biomass resources efficiently. In this study we inquire about its role in a 100% renewable energy system for Denmark and a net-zero energy system for Europe in the year 2050 using hourly energy system analysis. The results indicate bio-electrofuels produced from biomass gasification and electricity to enhance the utilisation of wind and electrolysis and reduce the energy system costs and fuels costs compared to CO2-electrofuels from carbon capture and utilisation. Despite the extensive biomass use overall biomass consumption would be higher without biomass gasification. The production of electromethanol shows low biomass consumption and costs while Fischer-Tropsch electrofuels may be an alternative for aviation. Syngas from biomass gasification can supplement biogas in stationary applications as power plants district heat or industry but future energy systems must meet a balance between producing transport fuels and syngas for stationary units. CO2-electrofuels are found complementary to bio-electrofuels depending on biomass availability and remaining non-fossil CO2 emitters
Hydrogen Production from Wave Power Farms to Refuel Hydrogen-Powered Ships in the Mediterranean Sea
Aug 2024
Publication
The maritime industry is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions largely due to ships running on fossil fuels. Transitioning to hydrogen-powered marine transportation in the Mediterranean Sea requires the development of a network of hydrogen refueling stations across the region to ensure a steady supply of green hydrogen. This paper explores the technoeconomic viability of harnessing wave energy from the Mediterranean Sea to produce green hydrogen for hydrogenpowered ships. Four promising island locations—near Sardegna Galite Western Crete and Eastern Crete—were selected based on their favorable wave potential for green hydrogen production. A thorough analysis of the costs associated with wave power facilities and hydrogen production was conducted to accurately model economic viability. The techno-economic results suggest that with anticipated cost reductions in wave energy converters the levelized cost of hydrogen could decrease to as low as 3.6 €/kg 4.3 €/kg 5.5 €/kg and 3.9 €/kg for Sardegna Galite Western Crete and Eastern Crete respectively. Furthermore the study estimates that in order for the hydrogen-fueled ships to compete effectively with their oil-fueled counterparts the levelized cost of hydrogen must drop below 3.5 €/kg. Thus despite the competitive costs further measures are necessary to make hydrogen-fueled ships a viable alternative to conventional diesel-fueled ships.
Techno-Economic Assessment of a Grid-Independent Hybrid Power Plant for Co-Supplying a Remote Micro-Community with Electricity and Hydrogen
Aug 2021
Publication
This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility of an off-grid integrated solar/wind/hydrokinetic plant to co-generate electricity and hydrogen for a remote micro-community. In addition to the techno-economic viability assessment of the proposed system via HOMER (hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources) a sensitivity analysis is conducted to ascertain the impact of ±10% fluctuations in wind speed solar radiation temperature and water velocity on annual electric production unmet electricity load LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) and NPC (net present cost). For this a far-off village with 15 households is selected as the case study. The results reveal that the NPC LCOE and LCOH (levelized cost of hydrogen) of the system are equal to $333074 0.1155 $/kWh and 4.59 $/kg respectively. Technical analysis indicates that the PV system with the rated capacity of 40 kW accounts for 43.7% of total electricity generation. This portion for the wind turbine and the hydrokinetic turbine with nominal capacities of 10 kW and 20 kW equates to 23.6% and 32.6% respectively. Finally the results of sensitivity assessment show that among the four variables only a +10% fluctuation in water velocity causes a 20% decline in NPC and LCOE.
Cost-optimal Design and Operation of Hydrogen Refueling Stations with Mechanical and Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressors
Sep 2024
Publication
Hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) can cause a significant fraction of the hydrogen refueling cost. The main cost contributor is the currently used mechanical compressor. Electrochemical hydrogen compression (EHC) has recently been proposed as an alternative. However its optimal integration in an HRS has yet to be investigated. In this study we compare the performance of a gaseous HRS equipped with different compressors. First we develop dynamic models of three process configurations which differ in the compressor technology: mechanical vs. electrochemical vs. combined. Then the design and operation of the compressors are optimized by solving multi-stage dynamic optimization problems. The optimization results show that the three configurations lead to comparable hydrogen dispensing costs because the electrochemical configuration exhibits lower capital cost but higher energy demand and thus operating cost than the mechanical configuration. The combined configuration is a trade-off with intermediate capital and operating cost.
Electricity Supply Configurations for Green Hydrogen Hubs: A European Case Study on Decarbonizing Urban Transport
Aug 2024
Publication
In this study a techno-economic analysis tool for conducting detailed feasibility studies on the deployment of green hydrogen hubs for fuel cell bus fleets is developed. The study evaluates and compares five green hydrogen hub configurations’ operational and economic performance under a typical metropolitan bus fleet refuelling schedule. Each configuration differs based on its electricity sourcing characteristics such as the mix of energy sources capacity sizing financial structure and grid interaction. A detailed comparative analysis of distinct green hydrogen hub configurations for decarbonising a fleet of fuel-cell buses is conducted. Among the key findings is that a hybrid renewable electricity source and hydrogen storage are essential for cost-optimal operation across all configurations. Furthermore bi-directional grid-interactive configurations are the most costefficient and can benefit the electricity grid by flattening the duck curve. Lastly the paper highlights the potential for cost reduction when the fleet refuelling schedule is co-optimized with the green hydrogen hub electricity supply configuration.
Hydrogen-Enabled Power Systems: Technologies’ Options Overview and Effect on the Balance of Plant
Aug 2025
Publication
Hydrogen-based Power Systems (H2PSs) are gaining accelerating momentum globally to reduce energy costs and dependency on fossil fuels. A H2PS typically comprises three main parts: hydrogen production storage and power generation called packages. A review of the literature and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) datasheets reveals that no single manufacturer supplies all H2PS components posing significant challenges in system design parts integration and safety assurance. Additionally both the literature and H2PS projects’ database highlight a gap in a systematic hydrogen equipment and auxiliary sub-systems technology selection process and how this selection affects the overall H2PS Balance of Plant (BoP). This study addresses that gap by providing a guideline for available technology options and their impact on the H2PS-BoP. The analysis compares packages and auxiliary sub-system technologies to support informed engineering decisions regarding technology and equipment selection. The study finds that each package’s technology influences the selection criteria of the other packages and the associated BoP requirements. Furthermore the choice of technologies across packages significantly affects overall system integrity and BoP. These interdependencies are illustrated using a cause-and-effect matrix. The study’s significance lies in establishing a structured guideline for engineering design and operations enhancing the accuracy of feasibility studies and accelerating the global implementation of H2PS.
The Role of Hydrogen as Enabler of Industrial Port Area Decarbonoization
Nov 2023
Publication
To meet environmental goals while maintaining economic competitiveness worldwide ports have increased the amount of renewable energy production and have focused in optimizing performances and energy efficiency. However carbon-neutral operation of industrial port areas (IPA) is challenging and requires the decarbonization of industrial processes and heavy transport systems. This study proposes a comprehensive review of decarbon ization strategies for IPA with a particular focus on the role that green hydrogen could play when used as renewable energy carrier. Much information on existing and future technologies was also derived from the analysis of 74 projects (existing and planned) in 36 IPAs 80 % of which are in Europe concerning hydrogenbased decarbonization strategies. The overall review shows that engine operation of ships at berth are respon sible of more than 70 % of emissions in ports. Therefore onshore power supply (OPS) seems to be one of the main strategies to reduce port pollution. Nevertheless OPS powered by hydrogen is not today easily achievable. By overcoming the current cost-related and regulation barriers hydrogen can also be used for the import/export of green energy and the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors. The technical and economic data regarding hydrogen-based technologies and strategies highlighted in this paper are useful for further research in the field of definition and development of decarbonization strategies in the IPA.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of International Aviationg through Sustainable Aviation Fuel with Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage
Feb 2024
Publication
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) represent the short-term solution to reduce fossil carbon emissions from aviation. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) was globally adopted to foster and make SAFs production economically competitive. Fischer-Tropsch synthetic paraffinic kerosene (FTSPK) produced from forest residue is a promising CORSIA-eligible fuel. FT conversion pathway permits the integration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology which provides additional carbon offsetting ca pacities. The FT-SPK with CCS process was modelled to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the conversion pathway. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) with a well-to-wake approach was performed to quantify the SAF’s carbon footprint considering both biogenic and fossil carbon dynamics. Results showed that 0.09 kg FT-SPK per kg of dry biomass could be produced together with other hydrocarbon products. Well-to-wake fossil emissions scored 21.6 gCO2e per MJ of FT-SPK utilised. When considering fossil and biogenic carbon dynamics a negative carbon flux (-20.0 gCO2eMJ− 1 ) from the atmosphere to permanent storage was generated. However FT-SPK is limited to a 50 %mass blend with conventional Jet A/A1 fuel. Using the certified blend reduced Jet A/A1 fossil emissions in a 37 % and the net carbon flux resulted positive (30.9 gCO2eMJ− 1 ). Sensitivity to variations in process as sumptions was investigated. The lifecycle fossil-emissions reported in this study resulted 49 % higher than the CORSIA default value for FT-SPK. In a UK framework only 0.7 % of aviation fuel demand could be covered using national resources but the emission reduction goal in aviation targeted for 2037 could be satisfied when considering CCS.
Hydrogen Refueling Station Cost Model Applied to Five Real Case Studies for Fuel Cell buses
Oct 2021
Publication
Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) are a key infrastructure to the successful deployment of hydrogen mobility. Their cost-effectiveness will represent an increasingly crucial issue considering the foreseen growth of vehicle fleets from few captive fleets to large-scale penetration of hydrogen vehicles. In this context a detailed component-oriented cost model is important to assess HRS costs for different design concepts layout schemes and possible customizations respect to aggregate tools which are mostly available in literature. In this work an improved version of a previously developed component-oriented scale-sensitive HRS cost model is applied to 5 different European HRS developed within the 3Emotion project with different refueling capacities (kgH2/day) hydrogen supply schemes (in-situ production or delivery) storage volumes and pressures and operational strategies. The model output allows to assess the upfront investment cost (CAPEX) the annual operational cost (OPEX) and the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) at the dispenser and identify the most crucial cost components. The results for the five analyzed HRS sites show an LCOH at the nozzle of around 8-9 €/kg for delivery based HRSs which are mainly dominated by the H2 retail price and transport service price and around 11-12 €/kg for on-site producing HRS for which the electrolyzer CAPEX and electricity price plays a key role in the cost structure. The compression storage and dispensing sections account for between 1-3 €/kg according to the specific design & performance requirements of the HRS. The total LCOH values are comparable with literature standard market prices for similar scale HRSs and with the 3Emotion project targets.
Dynamic Hydrogen Demand Forecasting Using Hybrid Time Series Models: Insights for Renewable Energy Systems
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is gaining traction as a key energy carrier due to its clean combustion high energy content and versatility. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy hydrogen demand is rapidly increasing. This paper introduces a novel hybrid time series modeling approach designed and developed to accurately predict hydrogen demand by mixing linear and nonlinear models and accounting for the impact of non-recurring events and dynamic energy market changes over time. The model incorporates key economic variables like hydrogen price oil price natural gas price and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. To address these challenges we propose a four-part framework comprising the Hodrick–Prescott (HP) filter the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model the enhanced empirical wavelet transform (EEWT) and high-order fuzzy cognitive maps (HFCM). The HP filter extracts recurring structural patterns around specific data points and resolves challenges in hybridizing linear and nonlinear models. The ARFIMA model equipped with statistical memory captures linear trends in the data. Meanwhile the EEWT handles non-stationary time series by adaptively decomposing data. HFCM integrates the outputs from these components with ridge regression fine-tuning the HFCM to handle complex time series dynamics. Validation using stochastic non-Gaussian synthetic data demonstrates that this model significantly enhances prediction performance. The methodology offers notable improvements in prediction accuracy and stability compared to existing models with implications for optimizing hydrogen production and storage systems. The proposed approach is also a valuable tool for policy formulation in renewable energy and smart energy transitions offering a robust solution for forecasting hydrogen demand
Techno-economic Assessment of Renewable Methanol from Biomass Gasification and PEM Electrolysis for Decarbonization of the Maritime Sector in California
Mar 2022
Publication
At scale biomass-based fuels are seen as long-term alternatives to conventional shipping fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector. While the operational benefits of renewable methanol as a marine fuel are well-known its cost and environmental performance depend largely on production method and geographic context. In this study a techno-economic and environmental assessment of renewable methanol produced by gasification of forestry residues is performed. Two biorefinery systems are modeled thermody namically for the first time integrating several design changes to extend past work: (1) methanol synthesized by gasification of torrefied biomass while removing and storing underground a fraction of the carbon initially contained in it and (2) integration of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for increased carbon efficiency via hydrogen injection into the methanol synthesis process. The chosen use case is set in California with forest residue biomass as the feedstock and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as the shipping fuel demand point. Methanol produced by both systems achieves substantial lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions savings compared to traditional shipping fuels ranging from 38 to 165% from biomass roadside to methanol combustion. Renewable methanol can be carbon-negative if the CO2 captured during the biomass conversion process is sequestered underground with net greenhouse gas emissions along the lifecycle amounting to − 57 gCO2eq/MJ. While the produced methanol in both pathways is still more expensive than conventional fossil fuels the introduction of CO2eq abatement incentives available in the U.S. and California could bring down minimum fuel selling prices substantially. The produced methanol can be competitive with fossil shipping fuels at credit amounts ranging from $150 to $300/tCO2eq depending on the eligible credits.
Techno-economic Analysis of the Production of Synthetic Fuels using CO2 Generated by the Cement Industry and Green Hydrogen
Jul 2024
Publication
Cement industry due to the decomposition of CaCO3 and the production of clinker emits large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. This anthropogenic gas can be captured and through its synthesis with green hydrogen methanol and finally synthetic fuels are achieved. By using e-fuel Europe’s climate neutrality objectives could be achieved. However the energy transition still lacks a clear roadmap and decisions are strongly affected by the geopolitical situation the energy demand and the economy. Therefore different scenarios are analysed to assess the influence of key factors on the overall economic viability of the process: 1) A business-as-usual scenario EU perspectives 2) allowing e-fuels and 3) improving H2 production processes. The technical feasibility of the production of synthetic fuels is verified. The most optimistic projections indicate future production costs of synthetic fuels will be lower than those of fossil fuels. This is directly related to the cost of green hydrogen production.
Hydrogen-Powered Aviation: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Scientometric and Thematic Analysis of Patent Claims
May 2025
Publication
Hydrogen-powered aviation is gaining momentum as a sustainable alternative to fossil-fueled flight yet the field faces complex technological and operational challenges. To better understand commercial innovation pathways this study analyzes the claims sections of 166 hydrogen aviation patents issued between 2018 and 2024. Unlike prior studies that focused on patent titles or abstracts this approach reveals the protected technical content driving commercialization. The study classifies innovations into seven domains: fuel storage fuel delivery fuel management turbine enhancement fuel cell integration hybrid propulsion and safety enhancement. Thematic word clouds and term co-occurrence networks based on natural language processing techniques validate these classifications and highlight core technical themes. Scientometric analyses uncover rapid patent growth rising international participation and strong engagement from both established aerospace firms and young companies. The findings provide stakeholders with a structured view of the innovation landscape helping to identify technological gaps emerging trends and areas for strategic investment and policymaking. This claims-based method offers a scalable framework to track progress in hydrogen aviation and is adaptable to other emerging technologies.
Design and Scale-up of a Hydrogen Oxy-fuel Burner for High-temperature Industrial Processes
Aug 2025
Publication
The present study investigates the design and scale-up of a pure hydrogen oxy-fuel combustion burner for industrial applications. In recent years this technology has garnered attention as an effective approach to the decarbonisation of high-temperature industrial processes. Replacing air with oxygen in combustion processes significantly reduces nitrogen oxides emissions and leads to sustainable energy use. A laboratory-scale burner was designed with inlet nozzle dimensions adapted to the specific properties of hydrogen and oxygen as fuel and oxidant respectively. Implementing oxy-fuel combustion requires addressing several technical issues to prevent the burner wall from overheating and to ensure a stable flame. An infrared camera was used to characterise the performance and operating conditions of the laboratory-scale burner in the range of 2.5–30 kW. The 10 kW baseline case was analysed numerically and validated experimentally using thermocouples. This revealed stable lifted flames with maximum temperatures of 2800 K and a flame length of 0.15 m. A key challenge in engineering is transferring results from laboratory-scale to large-scale industrial applications. Once validated the prototype design was scaled up numerically from 10 kW to 1 MW investigating the feasibility of different scaling criteria. The impact of these criteria on flame characteristics mixing patterns and the volumetric distribution of the reaction zone was then assessed. The constant velocity criterion yielded the lowest pressure drops although it also resulted in longer flame lengths. In contrast the constant residence time criterion generated the highest pressure drops. The increased velocities associated with this criterion enhanced mixing leading to shorter flame lengths as noted in the cases of 200 kW decreasing from 0.98 m under constant velocity criterion to 0.46 m. The intermediate criteria demonstrated a feasible alternative for scaling up the burner by effectively balancing flame length mixing rate and pressure losses. Nevertheless all criteria enabled the burner to sustain high combustion efficiency. Overall this investigation provides valuable insight into the potential of hydrogen oxy-fuel combustion technology to reduce carbon emissions in high-temperature processes.
Performance and Emissions Evaluation of a Turbofan Burner with Hydrogen Fuel
Mar 2025
Publication
This paper examines the changes in the performance level and pollutant emissions of a combustion chamber for turbofan engines. Two different fuels are compared: a conventional liquid fuel of the JET-A (kerosene) class and a hydrogen-based gaseous fuel. A turbofan engine delivering a 70 kN thrust at cruise conditions and 375 kN thrust at takeoff is considered. The comparison is carried out by investigating the combustion pattern with different boundary conditions the latter assigned along a typical flight mission. The calculations rely on a combined approach with a preliminary lumped parameter estimation of the engine performance and thermodynamic properties under different flight conditions (i.e. take-off climbing and cruise) and a CFD-based combustion simulation employing as boundary conditions the outputs obtained from the 0-D computations. The results are discussed in terms of performance thermal properties distributions throughout the combustor and of pollutant concentration at the combustor outflow. The results demonstrate that replacing the JET-A fuel with hydrogen does not affect the overall engine performance significantly and stable and efficient combustion takes place inside the burner although a different temperature regime is observable causing a relevant increase in thermal NO emissions.
Endoscopic Visualization of Backfire Behavior in a Medium Speed Maritime Hydrogen Engine
Aug 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for decarbonizing maritime and stationary applications. However using 100% hydrogen in large-bore engines introduces combustion challenges such as pre-ignition and backfire. These statistically occurring combustion anomalies particularly their spatial and temporal behavior cannot be fully understood through thermodynamic data alone. This study applies optical diagnostics to a medium-speed single-cylinder research engine (bore: 350 mm stroke: 440 mm displacement: 42.3 dm3 ) operated with 100% hydrogen exceeding 20 bar IMEP. By varying the air–fuel equivalence ratio between 2.3 and 4.0 and comparing active pre-chamber and open combustion chamber ignition systems backfire-induced operating limits are identified. High-speed flame imaging through two endoscopic accesses and up to three cameras captures both visible and UV (308 nm) flame chemiluminescence. An implemented visual vibration compensation method using fiber optics enables tracking of flame origins and propagation. The recordings show that 65% of ignition events initiate near one intake valve suggesting local hydrogen enrichment confirmed via 3D-CFD simulations. This is linked to intake manifold geometry which leads to mixture inhomogeneity up to −260◦ CA BTDC. At loads above 15 bar IMEP the localized enrichment reduces or shifts attributed to increased turbulence and intake mass flow. CFD simulations also reveal that gas temperatures under the intake valves exceeding the ignition temperature of hydrogen as early as 300◦ CA BTDC create the risk of backfire in the early gas phase. Additionally glowing oil droplets and ignition zones near the piston were observed indicating that lube oil ignition may be a cause of later (after −290◦ CA BTDC) backfire events. These findings contribute to the understanding of hydrogen combustion anomalies and support future experimental and modeling-based optimization of large-bore hydrogen engines.
Recent Breakthroughs and Future Horizons in Next-generation HT-PEMs for Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Aug 2025
Publication
Aminul Islam,
Mamun Shahriar,
Tarekul Islam,
Md. Tarekul Islam,
Afsana Papia,
Suman Chandra Mohanta,
M. Azizur R. Khan,
Md Aliur Rahman,
Khadiza Tul Kubra,
Md. Munjur Hasan,
Ariyan Islam Rehan,
Mohammed Sohrab Hossain,
Adiba Islam Rasee,
M.A. Shenashen,
Eti Awual,
Md. Chanmiya Sheikh,
Tetsuya Uchida,
R.M. Waliullah,
Md. Shad Salman,
Md. Nazmul Hasan and
Md. Rabiul Awual
High-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) for fuel cells are considered transformative technologies for efficient energy conversion particularly in hydrogen-based transportation owing to their ability to deliver high power density and operational efficiency in harsh environments. However several critical challenges limit their broader adoption notably the limited durability and high costs associated with core components such as membranes and electrocatalysts under elevated temperature conditions. This review systematically addresses these challenges by examining the role of engineered nanomaterials in overcoming performance and stability limitations. The potential of nanomaterials to improve catalytic activity proton conductivity and thermal stability is discussed in detail emphasizing their impact on the optimization of catalyst layer composition including catalysts binders phosphoric acid electrolytes and additives. Recent advancements in nanostructured assemblies and 3D morphologies are explored to enhance fuel cell efficiency through synergistic interactions of these components. Additionally ongoing issues such as catalyst degradation long-term stability and resistance to high-temperature operation are critically analyzed. This manuscript offers a comprehensive overview of current HT-PEMs research and proposes future material design strategies that could bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and large-scale industrial applications.
Capacity Optimization Configuration Strategy for Electrochemical-hydrogen Hybrid Energy Storage Based on State-of-charge Self-recovery for Wind Power Fluctuation Smoothing
Aug 2025
Publication
To address the challenges in wind power fluctuation smoothing using electrochemical-hydrogen hybrid energy storage a SOC self-recovery-based capacity optimization is proposed. The key issues include extreme high/low SOC states of electrochemical storage due to large charge-discharge disparities and the degradation of hydrogen storage tank SOH caused by its efficiency characteristics which lead to high configuration costs. First considering grid-connection lag time and algorithm adaptability an adaptive weighted filter is designed to suppress wind power fluctuations to obtain precise active power reference values for hybrid energy storage. The active power is then allocated between electrochemical and hydrogen storage using EMD and HT. Subsequently a complementary operation strategy for electrochemical-hydrogen systems is proposed which incorporates equivalent SOC metrics to assess the overall SOC level of electrochemical storage. By defining trigger thresholds for different operational modes abnormal SOC and SOH states are eliminated. Finally a full lifecycle economic cost assessment model based on the rainflow counting method is established to evaluate the impact of different threshold settings on the operational lifespan of energy storage and the overall configuration cost. The proposed method is validated through real-data simulations demonstrating its effectiveness in optimizing hybrid storage configurations and reducing costs compared to conventional strategies.
Real-Time Modeling of a Solar-Driven Power Plant with Green Hydrogen, Electricity, and Fresh Water Production: Techno-Economics and Optimization
Apr 2025
Publication
Solar energy is important for the future as it provides a clean renewable source of electricity that can help combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels via implementing various solar-based energy systems. In this study a unique configuration for a parabolic-trough-based solar system is presented that allows energy storage for periods of time with insufficient solar radiation. This model based on extensive analysis in MATLAB utilizing real-time weather data demonstrates promising results with strong practical applicability. An organic Rankine cycle with a regenerative configuration is applied to produce electricity which is further utilized for hydrogen generation. A proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME) unit converts electricity to hydrogen a clean and versatile energy carrier since the electricity is solar based. To harness the maximum value from this system additional energy during peak times is used to produce clean water utilizing a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit. The system’s performance is examined by conducting a case study for the city of Antalya Turkey to attest to the unit’s credibility and performance. This system is also optimized via the Grey Wolf multi-objective algorithm from energy exergy and techno-economic perspectives. For the optimization scenario performed the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system and the levelized cost of products are found to be approximately 26.5% 28.5% and 0.106 $/kWh respectively.
Optimal Operation Strategy for Multi-energy Systems Considering Renewable Energy Fluctuation and Carbon Emission
Jun 2025
Publication
Multi-energy systems (MESs) can address issues such as low renewable energy utilization and power imbalances by optimizing the integration of various energy sources. This paper proposes an optimization operation strategy for MES to regulate the hydrogen and battery storage system (HBRS) based on carbon emission factors (CEFs). Insufficient renewable energy utilization caused by reverse peak regulation can be addressed by guiding the optimal output of HBRS through this model thereby achieving multi-energy complementarity. The CEF is used to balance the output of the HBRS to achieve a low-carbon economic operating system. First the fluctuation of renewable energy is decomposed and reconstructed. Subsequently The HBRS system is utilized to smooth out the fluctuations caused by different frequencies of new energy and then the CEF is used to promote the output of the low-carbon subsystem. Finally comparative verification is conducted across validation cases to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and the optimization strategy.
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