Applications & Pathways
Power Sector Effects of Green Hydrogen Production in Germany
Aug 2023
Publication
The use of green hydrogen can support the decarbonization of sectors which are difficult to electrify such as industry or heavy transport. Yet the wider power sector effects of providing green hydrogen are not well understood so far. We use an open-source electricity sector model to investigate potential power sector interactions of three alternative supply chains for green hydrogen in Germany in the year 2030. We distinguish between model settings in which Germany is modeled as an electric island versus embedded in an interconnected system with its neighboring countries as well as settings with and without technology-specific capacity bounds on wind energy. The findings suggest that large-scale hydrogen storage can provide valuable flexibility to the power system in settings with high renewable energy shares. These benefits are more pronounced in the absence of flexibility from geographical balancing. We further find that the effects of green hydrogen production on the optimal generation portfolio strongly depend on the model assumptions regarding capacity expansion potentials. We also identify a potential distributional effect of green hydrogen production at the expense of other electricity consumers of which policy makers should be aware.
Advancements in Hydrogen Energy Systems: A Review of Levelized Costs, Financial Incentives and Technological Innovations
Apr 2024
Publication
Hydrogen energy systems (HES) are increasingly recognized as pivotal in cutting global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions especially in transportation power generation and industrial sectors. This paper offers a comprehensive review of HES emphasizing their diverse applications and economic viability. By 2030 hydrogen energy is expected to revolutionize various sectors significantly impacting CO2 abatement and energy demand. In electricity and power generation hydrogen could reduce CO2 emissions by 50–100 million tons annually requiring 10–20 million tons of hydrogen and an investment of $50–100 billion underscoring its role in grid stabilization. Additionally in the heating sector hydrogen could facilitate a CO2 abatement of 30–50 million tons. We examine the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) production influenced by factors like production methods efficiency and infrastructure. While steam methane reforming is cost-effective it poses a larger environmental impact compared to electrolysis. The global life-cycle cost of hydrogen production decreases as production scales up with current costs ranging from $1–3 per kg for fossil-based sources to $3.4–7.5 per kg for electrolysis using low-emission electricity. These costs are projected to decrease especially for electrolytic hydrogen in regions with abundant solar energy. However despite the technical feasibility of decarbonization high production costs still pose challenges. A systematic and effective transition to a hydrogen economy requires comprehensive policy and financial support mechanisms including incentives subsidies tax measures and funding for research and development of pilot projects. Additionally the paper discusses hydrogen's role in advanced storage technologies such as hydrides and Japan's ENE-FARM solution for residential energy emphasizing the need for strategic investments across the hydrogen value chain to enhance HES competitiveness reduce LCOH and advance the learning rates of hydrogen production technologies.
Techno-economic Assessment of Low-carbon Ammonia as Fuel for the Maritime Sector
Mar 2025
Publication
Low-carbon ammonia has recently received interest as alternative fuel for the maritime sector. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a Post-Panamax vessel powered by low-carbon ammonia. We also calculate the annual increase in carbon tax needed to compensate for the increment in TCO compared to a vessel powered by very low sulfur fuel oil. The increment in TCO is calculated as function of propulsion efficiency to account for uncertainties in the thermodynamics of ammonia combustion for three different cost scenarios of low-carbon ammonia. We evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of hydrogen and diesel as dual fuel for three types of propulsion systems: a compression ignition engine a spark-ignition engine and a combination of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system and a spark-ignition engine. We incorporate three different cost levels for ammonia and a variable engine efficiency ranging from 35% to 55%. If the ammonia engine has the efficiency of a conventional marine engine the increment in TCO is 25% in the most optimistic cost scenario. SOFCs can reach a better efficiency and yield no pollutant emissions but the reduction in fuel expenses in comparison to conventional combustion engines only offsets their high investment costs at either low engine efficiency or high fuel prices. The increment in TCO and reduction in GHG emissions depend on whether high combustion efficiencies small dual fuel fractions and low NOx N2O and NH3 emissions can be simultaneously achieved.
Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
Mar 2025
Publication
This article summarizes current research on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in road transport. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are pushing the transport sector to intensify efforts toward decarbonization. One promising solution is the adoption of hydrogen technologies whose development is supported by European Union regulations such as the “Fit for 55” package. FCEVs are characterized by zero emissions during operation but their environmental impact largely depends on the methods of hydrogen production. The use of renewable energy sources in hydrogen production can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while hydrogen produced from fossil fuels can even result in higher emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. This article also discusses the importance of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the efficiency of fuel storage and transportation systems. In conclusion LCA shows that FCEVs can support the achievement of climate goals provided that the development of hydrogen production technologies based on renewable sources and the corresponding infrastructure is ensured. The authors also highlight the potential of hybrid technologies as a transitional solution in the process of transforming the transport sector.
Standalone and System-level Perspectives on Hydrogen-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel Pathways for Denmark
Mar 2025
Publication
Aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to electrify directly due to its high energy density demands. Hydrogen offers a pathway for indirect electrification in such sectors enabling sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production when combined with a carbon source. SAF produced via methanol or Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis (e-SAF) has higher volumetric density than hydrogen remains liquid under standard conditions and can be used as a direct drop-in fuel. Certain FT-based e-SAF pathways are already certified for use in blends enhancing their appeal for sustainable aviation. This study evaluates e-SAF pathways in terms of resource efficiency and costs for different carbon sources. The results from both a standalone and system-level perspective indicate that biomass gasification-sourced carbon is the most energy-efficient pathway given biomass availability. For point-source and direct air capture pathways electricity costs for renewable hydrogen dominate the overall costs comprising about 70 % of total e-SAF costs. Given cheap renewable electricity and by-product revenues e-SAF can achieve price levels of 0.5–1.1 €/litre which is cost-competitive with their fossil-based counterparts. A breakeven electricity price of 9–29 €/MWh is needed for e-SAF made via a point source-based CO2 pathway compared with a moderate aviation fossil fuel price of 0.5 €/litre.
The Multi-Objective Distributed Robust Optimization Scheduling of Integrated Energy Systems Considering Green Hydrogen Certificates and Low-Carbon Demand Response
Feb 2025
Publication
To address the issues of energy wastage and uncertainty impacts associated with high levels of renewable energy integration a multi-objective distributed robust low-carbon optimization scheduling strategy for hydrogen-integrated Integrated Energy Systems (IES) is proposed. This strategy incorporates a green hydrogen trading mechanism and lowcarbon demand response. Firstly to leverage the low-carbon and clean characteristics of hydrogen energy an efficient hydrogen utilization model was constructed consisting of electricity-based hydrogen production waste heat recovery multi-stage hydrogen use hydrogen blending in gas and hydrogen storage. This significantly enhanced the system’s renewable energy consumption and carbon reduction. Secondly to improve the consumption of green hydrogen a novel reward–punishment green hydrogen certificate trading mechanism was proposed. The impact of green hydrogen trading prices on system operation was discussed promoting the synergistic operation of green hydrogen and green electricity. Based on the traditional demand-response model a novel low-carbon demand-response strategy is proposed with carbon emission factors serving as guiding signals. Finally considering the uncertainty of renewable energy an innovative optimal trade-off multi-objective distributed robust model was proposed which simultaneously considered low-carbon economic and robustness aspects. The model was solved using an improved adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm. Case study results show that after introducing the reward–punishment green hydrogen trading mechanism and low-carbon demand response the system’s total cost was reduced by approximately 5.16% and 4.37% and carbon emissions were reduced by approximately 7.84% and 6.72% respectively. Moreover the proposed multi-objective distributed robust model not only considers the system’s economy low-carbon and robustness but also offers higher solving efficiency and optimization performance compared to multi-objective optimization methods.
"Green" Ammonia: Impact of Renewable Energy Intermittency on Plant Sizing and Levelized Cost of Ammonia
Oct 2018
Publication
Ammonia production currently contributesalmost 11% of global industrial carbon dioxide emissions or1.3% of global emissions. In the context of global emissiontargets and growing demand decarbonization of this processis highly desirable. We present a method to calculate a firstestimate for the optimum size of an ammonia productionplant (at the process level) the required renewable energy(RE) supply and the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) forislanded operation with a hydrogen buffer. A model wasdeveloped to quantitatively identify the key variables thatimpact the LCOA (relative to a ±10 GBP/tonne change inLCOA): levelized cost of electricity (±0.89 GBP/MWh) electrolyzer capital expenditure (±65 GBP/kW) minimum Haber−Bosch (HB) load (±12% of rated power) maximum rate of HB load ramping and RE supply mix. Using 2025/2030 estimatesresults in a LCOA of 588 GBP/tonne for Lerwick Scotland. The application of the model will facilitate and improve theproduction of carbon-free ammonia in the future.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Characteristics of Hydrogen Operation as a Preparation for Retrofitting a Compression Ignition Engine to a Hydrogen Engine
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is a carbon-neutral fuel so in theory it holds enormous potential. The use of hydrogen as a fuel for traditional internal combustion engines is becoming increasingly prominent. The authors now have the opportunity to retrofit a single-cylinder diesel research engine to an engine with hydrogen operation. For this reason before that conversion they prepared a comprehensive review study regarding hydrogen. Firstly the study analyzes the most essential properties of hydrogen in terms of mixture formation and combustion compared to diesel. After that it deals with indirect and direct injection and what kind of combustion processes can occur. Since there is a possibility of preignition backfire and knocking the process can be dangerous in the case of indirect mixture formation and so a short subsection is devoted to these uncontrolled combustion phenomena. The next subsection shows how important in many ways a special spark plug and ignition system are for hydrogen operation. The next part of the study provides a detailed presentation of the possible combustion chamber design for operation with hydrogen fuel. The last section reveals how many parameters can be focused on analyzing the hydrogen’s combustion process. The authors conclude that intake manifold injection and a Heron-like combustion chamber design with a special spark plug with an ignition system would be an appropriate solution.
Energy Management for Microgrids with Hybrid Hydrogen-Battery Storage: A Reinforcement Learning Framework Integrated Multi-Objective Dynamic Regulation
Aug 2025
Publication
The integration of renewable energy resources (RES) into microgrids (MGs) poses significant challenges due to the intermittent nature of generation and the increasing complexity of multi-energy scheduling. To enhance operational flexibility and reliability this paper proposes an intelligent energy management system (EMS) for MGs incorporating a hybrid hydrogen-battery energy storage system (HHB-ESS). The system model jointly considers the complementary characteristics of short-term and long-term storage technologies. Three conflicting objectives are defined: economic cost (EC) system response stability and battery life loss (BLO). To address the challenges of multi-objective trade-offs and heterogeneous storage coordination a novel deep-reinforcement-learning (DRL) algorithm termed MOATD3 is developed based on a dynamic reward adjustment mechanism (DRAM). Simulation results under various operational scenarios demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms baseline methods achieving a maximum improvement of 31.4% in SRS and a reduction of 46.7% in BLO.
Challenges and Opportunities in Green Hydrogen Adoption for Decarbonizing Hard-to-Abate Industries: A Comprehensive Review
Feb 2024
Publication
The decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries is crucial for keeping global warming to below 2◦C. Green or renewable hydrogen synthesized through water electrolysis has emerged as a sustainable alternative for fossil fuels in energy-intensive sectors such as aluminum cement chemicals steel and transportation. However the scalability of green hydrogen production faces challenges including infrastructure gaps energy losses excessive power consumption and high costs throughout the value chain. Therefore this study analyzes the challenges within the green hydrogen value chain focusing on the development of nascent technologies. Presenting a comprehensive synthesis of contemporary knowledge this study assesses the potential impacts of green hydrogen on hard-to-abate sectors emphasizing the expansion of clean energy infrastructure. Through an exploration of emerging renewable hydrogen technologies the study investigates aspects such as economic feasibility sustainability assessments and the achievement of carbon neutrality. Additionally considerations extend to the potential for large-scale renewable electricity storage and the realization of net-zero goals. The findings of this study suggest that emerging technologies have the potential to significantly increase green hydrogen production offering affordable solutions for decarbonization. The study affirms that global-scale green hydrogen production could satisfy up to 24% of global energy needs by 2050 resulting in the abatement of 60 gigatons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - equivalent to 6% of total cumulative CO2 emission reductions. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of the hydrogen economy on ecosystem decarbonization this article analyzes the feasibility of three business models that emphasize choices for green hydrogen production and delivery. Finally the study proposes potential directions for future research on hydrogen valleys aiming to foster interconnected hydrogen ecosystems.
Multi-year Energy Performance Data for an Electrolysis-based Hydrogen Refueling Station
Apr 2023
Publication
Financing sizing operating or upgrading a hydrogen refueling station (HRS) is challenging and may be complex much more so in today's rapidly changing and growing hydrogen industry. There is a significant information gap regarding experimental hydrogen station activities. A high-level perspective on such data and information may facilitate the transition between present and future HRS operations. To address the need for such high-level perspective this paper presents a comprehensive data set on the performance of the California State University Los Angeles Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility based on multi-year operational data. The analysis of over 4500 refueling events and over 8800 kg of hydrogen dispensed as well as the operation of the facility electrolyzer and of both storage and refueling compressors from 2016 to 2020 reveals a comprehensive picture of HRS energy performance and the identification of useful key performance indicators. In 2016 the station's energy efficiency was 25% but in 2017 and the first three quarters of 2018 it dropped to 15%. Station-specific energy consumption increased during these quarters. The 2020 first quarter energy consumption was between 70 and 80 kWh/kg. At this time the energy efficiency of the station reached 40%.<br/>This research is based on an unprecedented and unique dataset of an HRS operating under real-world conditions with an approach that can be informative for modeling the performance of other stations providing a dataset that HRS designers operators and investors may utilize to make data-driven choices regarding HRS components and their specs and size as well as operating strategies.
Prospects of Solar Energy in the Context of Greening Maritime Transport
Mar 2025
Publication
The aim of this article is to examine existing technologies for the use of electrical energy and to develop proposals for their improvement on maritime vessels. As a criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of alternative energy sources on ships factors such as greenhouse gas emissions levels production and transportation characteristics onboard storage conditions and technoeconomic indicators have been proposed. The analysis of fuel types reveals that hydrogen has zero greenhouse gas emissions. However transportation and storage issues along with the high investment required for implementation pose barriers to the widespread use of hydrogen as fuel for maritime vessels. This article demonstrates that solar energy can serve as an alternative to gases and liquid fuels in maritime transport. The technologies and challenges in utilizing solar energy for shipping are analyzed trends in solar energy for maritime transport are discussed and future research directions for the use of solar energy in the maritime sector are proposed. The most significant findings include the identification of future research directions in the application of solar energy in the maritime sector including the adaptation of concentrated solar power (CSP) systems for maritime applications; the development of materials and designs for solar panels specifically tailored to marine conditions; the development of methods for assessing the long-term economic benefits of using solar energy on vessels; and the creation of regulatory frameworks and international standards for the use of solar energy on ships. Furthermore for hybrid photovoltaic and diesel power systems promising research directions could include efforts to implement direct torque control systems instead of field-orientated control systems as well as working on compensating higher harmonics in the phase current spectra of asynchronous motors.
Capacity Optimization of Renewable-Based Hydrogen Production–Refueling Station for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles: A Real-Project-Based Case Study
Aug 2025
Publication
With the deepening electrification of transportation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are emerging as a vital component of clean and electrified transportation systems. Nonetheless renewable-based hydrogen production–refueling stations (HPRSs) for FCEVs still need solid models for accurate simulations and a practical capacity optimization method for cost reduction. To address this gap this study leverages real operation data from China’s largest HPRS to establish and validate a comprehensive model integrating hydrogen production storage renewables FCEVs and the power grid. Building on this validated model a novel capacity optimization framework is proposed incorporating an improved Jellyfish Search Algorithm (JSA) to minimize the initial investment cost operating cost and levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). The results demonstrate the framework’s significant innovations and effectiveness: It achieves the maximum reductions of 29.31% in the initial investment 100% in the annual operational cost and 44.19% in LCOH while meeting FCEV demand. Simultaneously it reduces peak grid load by up to 43.80% and enables renewable energy to cover up to 89.30% of transportation hydrogen demand. This study contributes to enhancing economic performance and optimizing the design and planning of HPRS for FCEVs as well as promoting sustainable transportation electrification.
Composite Membranes for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolysers: A Critical Review
Jul 2019
Publication
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolysers offer efficient use and production of hydrogen for emission-free transport and sustainable energy systems. Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes like Nafion® and Aquivion® are the state-of-the-art PEMs but there is a need to increase the operating temperature to improve mass transport avoid catalyst poisoning and electrode flooding increase efficiency and reduce the cost and complexity of the system. However PSFAs-based membranes exhibit lower mechanical and chemical stability as well as proton conductivity at lower relative humidities and temperatures above 80 ◦C. One approach to sustain performance is to introduce inorganic fillers and improve water retention due to their hydrophilicity. Alternatively polymers where protons are not conducted as hydrated H3O+ ions through liquid-like water channels as in the PSFAs but as free protons (H+) via Brønsted acid sites on the polymer backbone can be developed. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) and sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) are such materials but need considerable acid doping. Different composites are being investigated to solve some of the accompanying problems and reach sufficient conductivities. Herein we critically discuss a few representative investigations of composite PEMs and evaluate their significance. Moreover we present advances in introducing electronic conductivity in the polymer binder in the catalyst layers.
Hydrogen-powered Aircraft: Fundamental Concepts, Key Technologies, and Environmental Impacts
Sep 2024
Publication
Civil aviation provides an essential transportation network that connects the world and supports global economic growth. To maintain these benefits while meeting environmental goals next-generation aircraft must have drastically reduced climate impacts. Hydrogen-powered aircraft have the potential to fly existing routes with no carbon emissions and reduce or eliminate other emissions. This paper is a comprehensive guide to hydrogen-powered aircraft that explains the fundamental physics and reviews current technologies. We discuss the impact of these technologies on aircraft design cost certification and environment. In the long term hydrogen aircraft appear to be the most compelling alternative to today’s kerosene-powered aircraft. Using hydrogen also enables novel technologies such as fuel cells and superconducting electronics which could lead to aircraft concepts that are not feasible with kerosene. Hydrogen-powered aircraft are technologically feasible but require significant research and development. Lightweight liquid hydrogen tanks and their integration with the airframe is one of the critical technologies. Fuel cells can eliminate in-flight emissions but must become lighter more powerful and more durable to make large fuel cell-powered transport aircraft feasible. Hydrogen turbofans already have these desirable characteristics but produce some emissions albeit much less damaging than kerosene turbofans. Beyond airframe and propulsion technologies the viability of hydrogen aircraft hinges on low-cost green hydrogen production which requires massive investments in the energy infrastructure.
A Data-Driven Scheduling Approach for Hydrogen Penetrated Energy System Using LSTM Network
Nov 2019
Publication
Intra-day control and scheduling of energy systems require high-speed computation and strong robustness. Conventional mathematical driven approaches usually require high computation resources and have difficulty handling system uncertainties. This paper proposes two data-driven scheduling approaches for hydrogen penetrated energy system (HPES) operational scheduling. The two data-driven approaches learn the historical optimization results calculated out using the mixed integer linear programing (MILP) and conditional value at risk (CVaR) respectively. The intra-day rolling optimization mechanism is introduced to evaluate the proposed data-driven scheduling approaches MILP data-driven approach and CVaR data-driven approach along with the forecasted renewable generation and load demands. Results show that the two data-driven approaches have lower intra-day operational costs compared with the MILP based method by 1.17% and 0.93%. In addition the combined cooling and heating plant (CCHP) has a lower frequency of changing the operational states and power output when using the MILP data-driven approach compared with the mathematical driven approaches.
Assessing the Impacts of Low-carbon Intensity Hydrogen Integration in Oil Refineries
Nov 2024
Publication
This paper evaluates the potential impacts of introducing low-carbon intensity hydrogen technologies in two oil refineries with different complexity levels emphasizing the role of hydrogen production in reducing CO2 emissions. The novelty of this work lies in three key aspects: Comprehensive system analysis of refinery complexity using real site data integration of low-carbon Hydrogen technologies long-term and short-term strategies. Two Colombian refineries serve as case studies with technological solutions adapted to their complexity levels. The methodology involves evaluating different options for hydrogen production accounting for improvement in technological efficiency over time.<br/>The refinery systems were evaluated in a cost-optimization model built in Linny-r. Three different scenarios were considered Business-As-Usual (BAU) high and low-ambitions decarbonization scenarios focusing on the time horizons of 2030 and 2050.<br/>When comparing the two case studies the preferred decarbonization strategy for both facilities involves the substitution of SMR technology with water electrolyzers powered by renewable electricity. Post-2030 biomass-based hydrogen technology is still a costly alternative; however to achieve CO2 neutrality negative emissions storage of biogenic CO2 emerges as an achievable alternative.<br/>Our results indicate the achievability of CO2 reduction objectives in both refineries. Our results show that achieving long-term CO2 neutrality requires both refineries to increase renewable electricity production by 5 to 6 times for powering water electrolyzers steam production by 2 to 2.5 times for CO2 capture and supply of dry biomass by 2.6 to 4.5 kt/d.<br/>The two most significant factors influencing the refining net margin in the decarbonization scenarios are primarily the CO2 and the renewable electricity prices. The short-term horizon emerges as the pivotal period particularly within the high-ambition decarbonization scenarios. In this context the medium complexity refinery demonstrates economic viability until a CO2 price of 140 €/t CO2 while the high complexity refinery endures up to 205 €/t CO2.<br/>The high complexity refinery is better prepared to face the challenges of decarbonization and the impacts generated on the refining margin. Compared to the BAU scenario the high complexity refinery shows a negative impact on the net margin that corresponds to a 40% and 5% reduction in the short and long term respectively. Meanwhile for the medium complexity refinery the impact on net margin amounts to a 52% reduction in the short term and a 27% improvement in the long term.<br/>Furthermore our research highlights the significant potential for reducing CO2 emissions by fully eliminating the use of refinery gas as fuel providing alternative applications for it beyond combustion.
Optimal Economic Dispatch of Hydrogen Storage-Based Integrated Energy System with Electricity and Heat
Feb 2025
Publication
To enhance the accommodation capacity of renewable energy and promote the coordinated development of multiple energy this paper proposes a novel economic dispatch method for an integrated electricity–heat–hydrogen energy system on the basis of coupling three energy flows. Firstly we develop a mathematical model for the hydrogen energy system including hydrogen production storage and hydrogen fuel cells. Additionally a multi-device combined heat and power system is constructed incorporating gas boilers waste heat boilers gas turbines methanation reactors thermal storage tanks batteries and gas storage tanks. Secondly to further strengthen the carbon reduction advantages the economic dispatch model incorporates the power-to-gas process and carbon trading mechanisms giving rise to minimizing energy purchase costs energy curtailment penalties carbon trading costs equipment operation and maintenance costs. The model is linearized to ensure a global optimal solution. Finally the experimental results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed model. The integration of electricity–hydrogen coupling devices improves the utilization rate of renewable energy generation and reduces the total system operating costs and carbon trading costs. The use of a tiered carbon trading mechanism decreases natural gas consumption and carbon emissions contributing to energy conservation and emission reduction.
Review of Electrofuel Feasibility - Cost and Environmental Impact
Jun 2022
Publication
Electrofuels fuels produced from electricity water and carbon or nitrogen are of interest as substitutes for fossil fuels in all energy and chemical sectors. This paper focuses on electrofuels for transportation where some can be used in existing vehicle/vessel/aircraft fleets and fueling infrastructure. The aim of this study is to review publications on electrofuels and summarize costs and environmental performance. A special case denoted as bio-electrofuels involves hydrogen supplementing existing biomethane production (e.g. anaerobic digestion) to generate additional or different fuels. We use costs identified in the literature to calculate harmonized production costs for a range of electrofuels and bio-electrofuels. Results from the harmonized calculations show that bio-electrofuels generally have lower costs than electrofuels produced using captured carbon. Lowest costs are found for liquefied bio-electro-methane bio-electro-methanol and bio-electro-dimethyl ether. The highest cost is for electro-jet fuel. All analyzed fuels have the potential for long-term production costs in the range 90–160 € MWh−1 . Dominant factors impacting production costs are electrolyzer and electricity costs the latter connected to capacity factors (CFs) and cost for hydrogen storage. Electrofuel production costs also depend on regional conditions for renewable electricity generation which are analyzed in sensitivity analyses using corresponding CFs in four European regions. Results show a production cost range for electro-methanol of 76–118 € MWh−1 depending on scenario and region assuming an electrolyzer CAPEX of 300–450 € kWelec −1 and CFs of 45%–65%. Lowest production costs are found in regions with good conditions for renewable electricity such as Ireland and western Spain. The choice of system boundary has a large impact on the environmental assessments. The literature is not consistent regarding the environmental impact from different CO2 sources. The literature however points to the fact that renewable energy sources are required to achieve low global warming impact over the electrofuel life cycle.
Machine Learning-powered Performance Monitoring of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers for Enhancing Green Hydrogen Production as a Sustainable Fuel for Aviation Industry
Aug 2024
Publication
Aviation is a major contributor to transportation carbon emissions but aims to reduce its carbon footprint. Sustainable and environmentally friendly green hydrogen fuel is essential for decarbonization of this industry. Using the extremely low temperature of liquid hydrogen in aviation sector unlocks the opportunity for cryoelectric aircraft concept which exploits the advantageous properties of superconductors onboard. A significant barrier for green hydrogen adoption relates to its high cost and the immediate need for large-scale production which Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers (PEMWE) can address through optimal dynamic performance high lifetimes good efficiencies and importantly scalability. In PEMWE the cell is a crucial component that facilitates the electrolysis process and consists of a polymer membrane and electrodes. To control the required production rate of hydrogen the output power of cell should be monitored which usually is done by measuring the cell’s potential and current density. In this paper five different machine learning (ML) models based on different algorithms have been developed to predict this parameter. Findings of the work highlight that the model based on Cascade-Forward Neural Network (CFNN) is investigated to accurately predict the cell potential of PEMWE under different anodic material and working conditions with an accuracy of 99.998 % and 0.001884 in terms of R2 and root mean square error respectively. It can predict the cell potential with a relative error of less than 0.65 % and an absolute error of below 0.01 V. The Standard deviation of 0.000061 for 50 iterations of stability analysis indicated that this model has less sensitivity to the random selection of training data. By accurately estimating different cell’s output with one model and considering its ultra-fast response CFNN model has the potential to be used for both monitoring and the designing purposes of green hydrogen production.
Assessing the Impact of Local Energy Generation and Storage to Achieve the Decarbonization of the Single-family Housing Stock in Germany
Nov 2024
Publication
The decarbonization of the building stock in this paper focusing the single-family house sector in Germany is essential to achieve the climate goals. In fact as the largest part of the building stock it represents more than 65 % of the entire German residential building stock. Current strategies and regulations have demonstrated low impact on carbon emission reduction due to poor renovation rates particularly in the single-family house typology. The present study analyzes the potential of carbon emission reduction prioritizing local renewable energy generation and storage in combination with improved building energy systems. Through a simulation-based approach it considers reference buildings of different age classes and formulates variants for improving strategies with different levels of retrofit under the premise of a fully renewable locally generated energy supply. Based on the potential for solar energy supply the variants consider the seasonal shift that needs to be stored and particularly the role of hydrogen as an energy storage medium. The study´s goal is quantifying the impacts of the local renewable energy production its required storage capacity depending on the retrofit depth both for estimating the potential of transforming the single-family house stock to net zero carbon emissions.
Hydrogen, Medium-range Airplane Design Optimisation for Minimal Global Warming Impact
May 2024
Publication
This paper focuses on the conceptual design optimization of liquid hydrogen aircraft and their performance in terms of climate impact cash operating cost and energy consumption. An automated multidisciplinary design framework for kerosene-powered aircraft is extended to design liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft at a conceptual level. A hydrogen tank is integrated into the aft section of the fuselage increasing the operating empty mass and wetted area. Furthermore the gas model of the engine is adapted to account for the hydrogen combustion products. It is concluded that for medium-range narrow-body aircraft using hydrogen technology the climate impact can be minimized by fying at an altitude of 6.0 km at which contrails are eliminated and the impact due to NOx emissions is expected to be small. However this leads to a deteriorated cruise performance in terms of energy and operating cost due to the lower lift-to-drag ratio (– 11%) and lower engine overall efciency (– 10%) compared to the energy-optimal solutions. Compared to cost-optimal kerosene aircraft the average temperature response can be reduced by 73–99% by employing liquid hydrogen depending on the design objective. However this reduction in climate impact leads to an increase in cash operating cost of 28–39% when considering 2030 hydrogen price estimates. Nevertheless an analysis of future kerosene and hydrogen prices shows that this cost diference can be signifcantly decreased beyond 2030.
Towards Net Zero Aviation: Exploring Safe Hydrogen Refuelling at Airports
Nov 2024
Publication
Hydrogen flight is one important part of the way to net zero aviation. However safety challenges around refuelling are not well understood but are paramount to enable airports to be more comfortable with using hydrogen in the airport environment. This study investigates safety considerations of hydrogen aircraft refuelling at airports. Technical and human factor risks are explored as well as risk assessment models. Two focus groups were conducted in 2022. Data was analysed using NVivo revealing major themes including the mental and physical performance of refuellers technical aspects of refuelling stations environmental factors and the use of risk assessment models. These findings contribute significantly to an understanding of hydrogen refuelling challenges in busy airport environments. Recommendations help airports preparing for hydrogen as a fuel source further supporting the transition towards net zero aviation. Future research could focus on carrying out experiments analysing chemical reactions between kerosene and hydrogen vapours and testing the identified risk assessment tools in different airport environments.
A Perspective on Emerging Energy Policy and Economic Research Agenda for Enabling Aviation Climate Action
Sep 2024
Publication
Due to the aviation energy sector's increasing contribution to climate change and the impact of climate change on the aviation sector determining key energy policy and economic research priorities for enabling an effective and equitable aviation climate action is becoming an increasingly important topic. In this perspective we address this research need using a four-pronged methodology. It includes (i) identifying topical matters highlighted in the media (news); (ii) formulating novel and feasible policy and economic research challenges that pertain to these contemporary issues; (iii) cross-referencing the proposed research challenges with academic literature to confirm their novelty and refining them as necessary; and (iv) validating the importance novelty and feasibility of these research challenges through consultation with a diverse group of aviation experts in fuel policy technology and infrastructure fields. Our results highlight twelve main themes. Among these the top emerging policy and economic research challenges as prioritized by expert input are – (i) frameworks for equitable responsibility allocation between developed and developing country airlines for future emissions; (ii) cost analysis of airlines' net-zero by 2050 commitments; (iii) effectiveness and opportunity cost of airlines investing in offsetting relative to reduction measures; (iv) EU aviation policies' historical and potential effects on airfares demand emissions EU air carriers' competitiveness passenger traffic through EU hubs regional economies and social climate funds' ability to mitigate distributional effects of EU aviation policies. These identified priorities can steer both industry and academic research toward creating practical recommendations for policymakers and industry participants. When it comes to future research the ever-changing nature of the challenges in achieving aviation climate action means that our findings might need regular updates.
Power-to-X in Southern Iraq: Techno-economic Assessment of Solar-powered Hydrogen Electrolysis Combined with Carbon Capture and Storage for Sustainable Energy Solutions
Feb 2025
Publication
This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility of a Power-to-X (PtX) system by integrating solarpowered hydrogen electrolysis with carbon capture and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis processes for e-fuel production in Basra Iraq. To this aim a comprehensive modeling framework is developed to cover the detailed simulation of E-fuel production along with the system cost analysis. The proposed PtX system is supposed to be located near the Hartha power plant which is one of the main sources of electricity in the Basra region allowing for the utilization of captured CO2 from the power plant’s exhaust gas. The PtX plant design shows significant potential producing 2.44 tonnes of (C12-C20) hydrocarbons and 3.36 tonnes of (C21-C40) heavy oils annually. This is achieved by utilizing 7.5 and 74.2 tonnes per year of hydrogen generated from solar electrolysis and captured CO2 respectively. A cash flow analysis covering 25 years shows that an E-fuel market price of $10 per liter is needed to achieve a positive cash flow within 15 years. The study also indicates that implementing a $200 per tonne carbon tax improves the economic feasibility of the project by allowing for earlier positive cash flows from 6 years and a quicker break-even point at the current E-fuel market price of $2 per liter with a NPV of $ 464 million. Sensitivity analysis reveals that higher carbon taxes and e-fuel prices enhance profitability by reducing payback periods and increasing the NPV. However an increase in hydrogen production costs introduces substantial risk with higher costs decreasing economic viability. The feasibility assessment suggests that despite the substantial initial investment needed for various system components the long-term advantages include reduced CO2 emissions and the potential for Iraq to emerge as a leader in renewable fuel production. Stable policies robust carbon taxes and cost-efficient hydrogen production are essential for the successful implementation of PtX project.
Advancing Hydrogen Gas Utilization in Industrial Boilers: Impacts on Critical Boiler Components, Mitigation Measures, and Future Perspectives
Sep 2024
Publication
This review sets out to investigate the detrimental impacts of hydrogen gas (H2 ) on critical boiler components and provide appropriate state-of-the-art mitigation measures and future research directions to advance its use in industrial boiler operations. Specifically the study focused on hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) and their effects on boiler components. The study provided a fundamental understanding of the evolution of these damage mechanisms in materials and their potential impact on critical boiler components in different operational contexts. Subsequently the review highlighted general and specific mitigation measures hydrogen-compatible materials (such as single-crystal PWA 1480E Inconel 625 and Hastelloy X) and hydrogen barrier coatings (such as TiAlN) for mitigating potential hydrogen-induced damages in critical boiler components. This study also identified strategic material selection approaches and advanced approaches based on computational modeling (such as phase-field modeling) and data-driven machine learning models that could be leveraged to mitigate potential equipment failures due to HE and HTHA under elevated H2 conditions. Finally future research directions were outlined to facilitate future implementation of mitigation measures material selection studies and advanced approaches to promote the extensive and sustainable use of H2 in industrial boiler operations.
Design of a Hydrogen Refueling Station with Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis, Storage and Dispensing for a Bus Fleet in the City of Valencia
Jul 2024
Publication
Hydrogen technologies are evolving to decarbonise the transport sector. The present work focuses on the technical design of a Hydrogen Refueling Station to supply hydrogen to five buses in the city of Valencia Spain. The study deals with the technical selection of the components from production to consumption setting an efficient standardisation method. Different calculation are used to size the storage systems for 70.8 kg of hydrogen produced by the elecrolyser daily. For the high-pressure storage system massive and cascade methods are proposed being the last one more efficient (1577.53 Nm3 non usable volume compared to 9948.95 Nm3 of the massive method).
Low-Carbon Economic Scheduling of Integrated Energy System Considering Flexible Supply–Demand Response and Diversified Utilization of Hydrogen
Feb 2025
Publication
With the large-scale deployment of renewable energy the issue of wind power consumption has become increasingly prominent leading to serious wind energy abandonment. In order to promote energy sustainability this paper proposes a low-carbon economic scheduling model of an integrated energy system (IES) that combines the flexible supply–demand response with the diversified utilization of hydrogen energy. A mixedinteger linear programming model is developed and solved using the commercial solver GUROBI to obtain the scheduling scheme that minimizes total costs. First decoupling analysis is performed for combined heat and power (CHP) units and the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is introduced to enable dynamic output adjustments. On the demand side a flexible demand response mechanism is introduced which allows various types of loads to transfer within the scheduling cycle or substitute for each other within the same period. Additionally combining the clean characteristics of hydrogen this paper introduces hydrogen-doped CHP and other utilization strategies and develops a diversified utilization structure of hydrogen. A small IES is used for case analysis to verify the effectiveness of the above strategies. The results show that the proposed strategy can entirely consume wind power reduce total cost by 21.32% and decrease carbon emissions by 44.83% thereby promoting low-carbon economic operation and sustainable energy development of the system.
A Multi-objective Planning Tool for the Optimal Supply of Green Hydrogen for an Inustrial Port Area Decarbonisation
Jul 2024
Publication
This study addresses the challenge of decarbonizing highly energy-intensive Industrial Port Areas (IPA) focusing on emissions from various sources like ship traffic warehouses buildings cargo handling equipment and hardto-abate industry typically hosted in port areas. The analysis and proposal of technological solutions and their optimal integration in the context of IPA is a topic of growing scientific interest with considerable social and economic implications. Representing the main novelties of the work this study introduces (i) the development of a novel IPA energy and green hydrogen hub located in a tropical region (Singapore); (ii) a multi-objective optimization approach to analyse synthesize and optimize the design and operation of the hydrogen and energy hub with the aim of supporting decision-making for decarbonization investments. A sensitivity analysis identifies key parameters affecting optimization results indicating that for large hydrogen demands imported ammonia economically outperforms other green hydrogen carriers. Conversely local hydrogen production via electrolysis becomes economically viable when the capital cost of alkaline electrolyser drops by at least 30 %. Carbon tax influences the choice of green hydrogen but its price variation mainly impacts system operation rather than design. Fuel cells and batteries are not considered economically feasible solutions in any scenario.
Hydrogen Energy in Electrical Power Systems: A Review and Future Outlook
Aug 2024
Publication
Hydrogen energy as a zero-carbon emission type of energy is playing a significant role in the development of future electricity power systems. Coordinated operation of hydrogen and electricity will change the direction and shape of energy utilization in the power grid. To address the evolving power system and promote sustainable hydrogen energy development this paper initially examines hydrogen preparation and storage techniques summarizes current research and development challenges and introduces several key technologies for hydrogen energy application in power systems. These include hydrogen electrification technology hydrogen-based medium- and long-term energy storage and hydrogen auxiliary services. This paper also analyzes several typical modes of hydrogen–electricity coupling. Finally the future development direction of hydrogen energy in power systems is discussed focusing on key issues such as cost storage and optimization.
Artificial Intelligence for Hydrogen-Enabled Integrated Energy Systems: A Systematic Review
Aug 2024
Publication
Hydrogen-enabled Integrated Energy Systems (H-IES) stand out as a promising solution with the potential to replace current non-renewable energy systems. However their development faces challenges and has yet to achieve widespread adoption. These main challenges include the complexity of demand and supply balancing dynamic consumer demand and challenges in integrating and utilising hydrogen. Typical energy management strategies within the energy domain rely heavily on accurate models from domain experts or conventional approaches such as simulation and optimisation approaches which cannot be satisfied in the real-world operation of H-IES. Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Advanced Data Analytics (ADA) especially Machine Learning (ML) has the ability to overcome these challenges. ADA is extensively used across several industries however further investigation into the incorporation of ADA and hydrogen for the purpose of enabling H-IES needs to be investigated. This paper presents a systematic literature review to study the research gaps research directions and benefits of ADA as well as the role of hydrogen in H-IES.
An Assessment of Decarbonisation Pathways for Intercontinental Deep-sea Shipping Using Power-to-X Fuels
Aug 2024
Publication
Shipping corridors act as the arteries of the global economy. The maritime shipping sector is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions accounting for 2.9% of the global total. The international nature of the shipping sector combined with issues surrounding the use of battery technology means that these emissions are considered difficult to eliminate. This work explores the transition to renewable fuels by examining the use of electrofuels (in the form of liquid hydrogen methane methanol ammonia and Fischer-Tropsch fuel) to decarbonise large container ships from a technical economic and environmental perspective. For an equivalent range to current fossil fuel vessels the cargo capacity of vessels powered by electrofuels decreases by between 3% and 16% depending on the fuel of choice due to the lower energy density compared with conventional marine fuels. If vessel operators are willing to sacrifice range cargo space can be preserved by downsizing onboard energy storage which necessitates more frequent refuelling. For a realistic green hydrogen cost of €3.5/kg (10.5 €c/kWh) in 2030 the use of electrofuels in the shipping sector results in an increase in the total cost of ownership of between 124% and 731% with liquid hydrogen in an internal combustion engine being the most expensive and methanol in an internal combustion engine resulting in the lowest cost increase. Despite this we find that the increased transportation costs of some consumer goods to be relatively small adding for example less than €3.27 to the cost of a laptop. In general fuels which do not require cryogenic storage and can be used in internal combustion engines result in the lowest cost increases. For policymakers reducing the environmental impact of the shipping sector is a key priority. The use of liquid hydrogen which results in the largest cost increase offers a 70% reduction in GHG emissions for an electricity carbon intensity of 80 gCO2e/ kWh which is the greatest reduction of all fuels assessed in this work. A minimum carbon price of €400/tCO2 is required to allow these fuels to reach parity with conventional shipping operations. To meet European Union emissions reductions targets electricity with an emissions intensity below 40 gCO2e/kWh is required which suggests that for electrofuels to be truly sustainable direct connection with a source of renewable electricity is required.
Green Energy Fuelling Stations in Road Transport: Poland in the European and Global Context
Aug 2025
Publication
The transition to green energy in the transport sector is becoming a priority in the context of global climate challenges and the European Green Deal. This paper investigates the development of alternative fuelling stations particularly electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and hydrogen stations across EU countries with a focus on Poland. It combines a policy and technology overview with a quantitative scientific analysis offering a multidimensional perspective on green infrastructure deployment. A Pearson correlation analysis reveals significant links between charging station density and both GDP per capita and the share of renewable energy. The study introduces an original Infrastructure Accessibility Index (IAI) to compare infrastructure availability across EU member states and models Poland’s EV charging station demand up to 2030 under multiple growth scenarios. Furthermore the article provides a comprehensive overview of biofuels including first- second- and third-generation technologies and highlights recent advances in hydrogen and renewable electricity integration. Emphasis is placed on life cycle considerations energy source sustainability and economic implications. The findings support policy development toward zero-emission mobility and the decarbonisation of transport systems offering recommendations for infrastructure expansion and energy diversification strategies.
Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Hydrogen-diesel Heavy-duty Engines: The Influence of Engine Control Parameters
Feb 2025
Publication
The introduction of gaseous hydrogen (H2) into the intake air of a heavy-duty diesel engine results in H2-diesel dual-fuel (HDDF) combustion which offers a near-term pathway to reduce CO2 emissions in heavy-duty longhaul trucking. Since H2 introduction impacts oxygen availability combustion characteristics and emissions simultaneously it is imperative to appropriately optimize and control the input parameters including intake air pressure diesel injection timing and EGR ratio. This study investigates the impacts of these controlling parameters on the combustion characteristics limiting factors and emissions of an HDDF engine. Experimental tests were conducted on a 2.4 L single-cylinder research engine under medium load and speed conditions (1200 rpm 8 bar brake mean effective pressure) with varying H2 fractions. The results show that engine performance and combustion parameters are not solely influenced by H2 introduction. Instead the key factor is how H2 introduction affects combustion phasing and fuels equivalence ratio at various intake air pressures and diesel injection timings. The findings demonstrate that technical challenges in HDDF combustion such as combustion harshness (indicated by maximum rate of pressure rise) and unburned H2 (“H2 slip”) can be addressed through coordinated control of intake air pressure diesel injection timing and EGR ratio based on H2 energy ratio. At high H2 energy ratios adding 20% EGR effectively reduced combustion harshness by up to 40% and NOx emissions by 68% with negligible impact on brake thermal efficiency and H2 slip. At a given EGR level precise control of combustion phasing and intake pressure enabled the introduction of 40% H2 energy ratio resulting in 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions and 55% reduction in particulate matter emissions with no increase in NOx levels compared to the baseline diesel operation. These outcomes establish simultaneous adjustment of key engine control parameters as a practical strategy to maximize H2 introduction while addressing technical challenges in HDDF combustion. This ensures comparable engine performance with significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional heavy-duty diesel engines.
Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission Electrified Aircraft Propulsion for Large Commercial Transport
Sep 2024
Publication
Until recently electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) technology development has been driven by the dual objectives of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the depletion of fossil fuels. However the increasing severity of climate change posing a significant threat to all life forms has resulted in the global consensus of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. This major shift has alerted the aviation electrification industry to consider the following: What is the clear path forward for EAP technology development to support the net-zero GHG goals for large commercial transport aviation? The purpose of this paper is to answer this question. After identifying four types of GHG emissions that should be used as metrics to measure the effectiveness of each technology for GHG reduction the paper presents three significant categories of GHG reduction efforts regarding the engine evaluates the potential of EAP technologies within each category as well as combinations of technologies among the different categories using the identified metrics and thus determines the path forward to support the net-zero GHG objective. Specifically the paper underscores the need for the aviation electrification industry to adapt adjust and integrate its EAP technology development into the emerging new engine classes. These innovations and collaborations are crucial to accelerate net-zero GHG efforts effectively.
Assessing the Impacts of Net Zero Transport Scenarios in France on Biomass Resources, Hydrogen and Electricity Consumption
May 2025
Publication
The transport sector in France accounts for 30% of national emissions and will require significant decarbonization effort to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. Various technological solutions from electric vehicles to renewable fuel such as biofuels and e-fuels as well as changes in demand are envisioned to reach this target. We build three technological foresight scenarios and two sufficiency variants mainly based on different readings of the European regulations banning the sale of internalcombustion-engine vehicles and setting Sustainable Aviation Fuel incorporation rates. The transport hydrogen and biomass sectors are modeled in system dynamics to assess the detail impacts of these scenarios on biomass resources and energy consumption. In all scenarios the total electricity demand increases drastically regardless of the technological choices made for the vehicle fleets mainly due to the production of e-fuels for aviation. None of the technological scenarios studied suggest that biomass supply is unfeasible. However in a scenario with low electrification there is a potentially increased dependence on imports for waste oils and fats and competing uses or tensions with other demand sectors may arise over some biomass for anaerobic digestion and lignocellulosic resources. To reduce these potential tensions and the demand for electricity sufficiency measures seem necessary in addition to technological advancements.
Experimental Investigation on Knock Characteristics from Pre-Chamber Gas Engine Fueled by Hydrogen
Feb 2024
Publication
Hydrogen-fueled engines require large values of the excess air ratio in order to achieve high thermal efficiency. A low value of this coefficient promotes knocking combustion. This paper analyzes the conditions for the occurrence of knocking combustion in an engine with a turbulent jet ignition (TJI) system with a passive pre-chamber. A single-cylinder engine equipped with a TJI system was running with an air-to-fuel equivalence ratio λ in the range of 1.25–2.00 and the center of combustion (CoC) was regulated in the range of 2–14 deg aTDC (top dead center). Such process conditions made it possible to fully analyze the ascension of knock combustion until its disappearance with the increase in lambda and CoC. Measures of knock in the form of maximum amplitude pressure oscillation (MAPO) and integral modulus of pressure oscillation (IMPO) were used. The absolute values of these indices were pointed out which can provide the basis for the definition of knock combustion. Based on our own work the MAPO index > 1 bar was defined determining the occurrence of knocking (without indicating its quality). In addition taking into account MAPO it was concluded that IMPO > 0.13 bar·deg is the quantity responsible for knocking combustion.
Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Integration of Steel Industries: Recent Development, Challenges and Technoeconomics Analysis
Feb 2023
Publication
The steel industry is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions with significant energy demand. Currently 73% of the world’s steel is manufactured through the coal-coke-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace route (BF-BOF) emitting about two tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel produced. This review reports the major technologies recent developments challenges and technoeconomic comparison of steelmaking technol ogies emphasising the integration of hydrogen in emerging and established ironmaking and steelmaking pro cesses. Significant trials are underway especially in Germany to replace coal injected in the tuyeres of the blast furnace with hydrogen. However it is not clear that this approach can be extended beyond 30% replacement of coke because of the associated technical challenges. Direct smelting and fluidised bed technologies can emit 20%–30% less CO2 without carbon capture and storage utilisation. The implications of hydrogen energy in these technologies as a substitute for natural gas and coal are yet to be fully explored. A hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore (DRI) and steel scrap melting in an electric arc furnace (EAF) appeared to be the most mature technological routes to date capable of reducing CO2 emission by 95% but rely on the availability of rich iron concentrates as feed materials. Shaft furnace technologies are the common DRI-making process with a share of over 72% of the total production. The technology has been developed with natural gas as the main fuel and reductant. However it is now being adapted to operate predominantly on hydrogen to produce a low-carbon DRI product. Plasma and electrolysis-based iron and steelmaking are some of the other potential technologies for the application of hydrogen with a CO2 reduction potential of over 95%. However these technologies are in the preliminary stage of development with a technology readiness level of below 6. There are many technological challenges for the application of hydrogen in steel manufacturing such as challenges in distributing heat due to the endothermic H2 reduction process balancing carbon content in the product steel (particularly using zerocarbon DRI) removal of gangue materials and sourcing of cost-competitive renewable hydrogen and highquality iron ore (65>Fe). As iron ore quality degrades worldwide several companies are considering melting DRI before steelmaking possibly using submerged arc technology to eliminate gangue materials. Hence sig nificant laboratory and pilot-scale demonstrations are required to test process parameters and product qualities. Our analysis anticipates that hydrogen will play an instrumental role in decarbonising steel industries by 2035.
Design Considerations and Preliminary Hydrodynamic Analysis of an Offshore Decentralised Floating Wind-hydrogen System
Sep 2024
Publication
Despite the number of works on the techno-economics of offshore green hydrogen production there is a lack of research on the design of floating platforms to concomitantly support hydrogen production facilities and wind power generation equipment. Indeed previous studies on offshore decentralised configuration for hydrogen production implicitly assume that a floating platform designed for wind power generation (FOWT) can be also suitable as a floating wind hydrogen system (FWHS). This work proposes a novel design for an offshore decentralised FWHS and analyses the effects of the integration of the hydrogen facilities on the platform’s dynamics and how this in turn affects the performances of the wind turbine and the hydrogen equipment. Our findings indicate that despite the reduction in platform’s stability the performance of the wind turbine is barely affected. Regarding the hydrogen system our results aim at contributing to further assessment and design of this equipment for offshore conditions.
Closed Loop Model Predictive Control of a Hybrid Battery-Hydrogen Energy Storage System using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming
Mar 2024
Publication
The derivation of an efficient operational strategy for storing intermittent renewable energies using a hybrid battery-hydrogen energy storage system is a difficult task. One approach for deriving an efficient operational strategy is using mathematical optimization in the context of model predictive control. However mathematical optimization derives an operational strategy based on a non-exact mathematical system representation for a specified prediction horizon to optimize a specified target. Thus the resulting operational strategies can vary depending on the optimization settings. This work focuses on evaluating potential improvements in the operational strategy for a hybrid batteryhydrogen energy storage system using mathematical optimization. To investigate the operation a simulation model of a hybrid energy storage system and a tailor-made mixed integer linear programming optimization model of this specific system are utilized in the context of a model predictive control framework. The resulting operational strategies for different settings of the model predictive control framework are compared to a rule-based controller to show the potential benefits of model predictive control compared to a conventional approach. Furthermore an in-depth analysis of different factors that impact the effectiveness of the model predictive controller is done. Therefore a sensitivity analysis of the effect of different electricity demands and resource sizes on the performance relative to a rule-based controller is conducted. The model predictive controller reduced the energy consumption by at least 3.9 % and up to 17.9% compared to a rule-based controller. Finally Pareto fronts for multi-objective optimizations with different prediction and control horizons are derived and compared to the results of a rule-based controller. A cost reduction of up to 47 % is achieved by a model predictive controller with a prediction horizon of 7 days and perfect foresight. Keywords: Model Predictive Control Optimization Mixed Integer Linear Programming Hybrid Battery-Hydrogen Energy Storage System
On the Green Transformation of the Iron and Steel Industry: Market and Competition Aspects of Hydrogen Biomass Options
Feb 2024
Publication
The iron and steel industry is a major emitter of carbon dioxide globally. To reduce their carbon footprint the iron and steel industry pursue different decarbonization strategies including deploying bio-based materials and energy carriers for reduction carburisation and/or energy purposes along their value-chains. In this study two potential roles for biomass were analysed: (a) substituting for fossil fuels in iron-ore pellets induration and (b) carburisation of DRI (direct reduced iron) produced via fully hydrogen-based reduction. The purpose of the study was to analyse the regional demand-driven price and allocative effects of biomass assortments under different biomass demand scenarios for the Swedish iron and steel industry. Economic modelling was used in combination with spatial biomass supply assessments to predict the changes on relevant biomass markets. The results showed that the estimated demand increases for forest biomass will have significant regional price effects. Depending on scenario the biomass demand will increase up to 25 percent causing regional prices to more than doubling. In general the magnitude of the price effects was driven by the volumes and types of biomasses needed in the different scenarios with larger price effects for harvesting residues and industrial by-products compared to those of roundwood. A small price effect of roundwood means that the incentives for forest-owners to increase their harvests and thus also the availability of harvest residues are small. Flexibility in the feedstock sourcing (both regarding quality and geographic origin) will thus be important if forest biomass is to satisfy demands in iron and steel industry.
The Impact of the Configuration of a Hydrogen Refueling Station on Risk Level
Nov 2024
Publication
The paper discusses potential hazards at hydrogen refueling stations for transportation vehicles: cars and trucks. The main hazard analyzed here is an uncontrolled gas release due to a failure in one of the structures in the station: storage tanks of different pressure levels or a dispenser. This may lead to a hydrogen cloud occurring near the source of the release or at a given distance. The range of the cloud was analyzed in connection to the amount of the released gas and the wind velocity. The results of the calculations were compared for chosen structures in the station. Then potential fires and explosions were investigated. The hazard zones were calculated with respect to heat fluxes generated in the fires and the overpressure generated in explosions. The maximum ranges of these zones vary from about 14 to 30 m and from about 9 to 14 m for a fires and an explosions of hydrogen respectively. Finally human death probabilities are presented as functions of the distance from the sources of the uncontrolled hydrogen releases. These are shown for different amounts and pressures of the released gas. In addition the risk of human death is determined along with the area where it reaches the highest value in the whole station. The risk of human death in this area is 1.63 × 10−5 [1/year]. The area is approximately 8 square meters.
Technical and Cost Analysis of Zero-emission High-speed Ferries: Retrofitting from Diesel to Green Hydrogen
Feb 2024
Publication
This paper proposes a technical and cost analysis model to assess the change in costs of a zeroemission high-speed ferry when retrofitting from diesel to green hydrogen. Both compressed gas and liquid hydrogen are examined. Different scenarios explore energy demand energy losses fuel consumption and cost-effectiveness. The methodology explores how variation in the ferry's total weight and equipment efficiency across scenarios impact results. Applied to an existing diesel high-speed ferry on one of Norway's longest routes the study under certain assumptions identifies compressed hydrogen gas as the current most economical option despite its higher energy consumption. Although the energy consumption of the compressed hydrogen ferry is slightly more than the liquid hydrogen counterpart its operating expenses are considerably lower and comparable to the existing diesel ferry on the route. However constructing large hydrogen liquefaction plants could reduce liquid hydrogen's cost and make it competitive with both diesel and compressed hydrogen gas. Moreover liquid hydrogen allows the use of a superconducting motor to enhance efficiency. Operating the ferry with liquid hydrogen and a superconducting motor besides its technical advantages offers promising economic viability in the future comparable to diesel and compressed hydrogen gas options. Reducing the ferry's speed and optimizing equipment improves fuel efficiency and economic viability. This research provides valuable insights into sustainable zero-emission high-speed ferries powered by green hydrogen.
Techno-economic Analysis of Direct Air Carbon Capture and Hydrogen Production Integrated with a Small Modular Reactor
Dec 2023
Publication
This study aims to explore the techno-economic potential of harnessing waste heat from a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to fuel Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACC) and High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) technologies. The proposed system’s material flows and energy demands are modelled via the ASPEN Plus v12.1 where results are utilised to provide estimates of the Levelised Cost of DACC (LCOD) and Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH). The majority of thermal energy and electrical utilities are assumed to be supplied directly by the SMR. A sensitivity analysis is then performed to investigate the effects of core operational parameters of the system. Key results indicate levelised costs of 4.66 $/kgH2 at energy demands of 34.37 kWh/kgH2 and 0.02 kWh/kgH2 thermal for HTSE hydrogen production and 124.15 $/tCO2 at energy demands of 31.67 kWh/tCO2 and 126.33 kWh/tCO2 thermal for carbon capture; parameters with most impact on levelised costs are air intake and steam feed for LCOD and LCOH respectively. Both levelised costs i.e. LCOD and LCOH would decrease with the production scale. The study implies that an integrated system of DACC and HTSE provided the best cost-benefit results however the cost-benefit analysis is heavily subjective to geography politics and grid demand.
A Review on the Research Progress and Application of Compressed Hydrogen in the Marine Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power System
Jan 2024
Publication
The urgency to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from maritime vessels has intensified due to the increasingly stringent directives set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These directives specifically address energy efficiency enhancements and emissions reduction within the shipping industry. In this context hydrogen is the much sought after fuel for all the global economies and its applications for transportation and propulsion in particular is crucial for cutting down carbon emissions. Nevertheless the realization of hydrogen-powered vessels is confronted by substantial technical hurdles that necessitate thorough examination. This study undertakes a comprehensive analysis encompassing diverse facets including distinct variations of hydrogen fuel cells hydrogen internal combustion engines safety protocols associated with energy storage as well as the array of policies and commercialization endeavors undertaken globally for the advancement of hydrogen-propelled ships. By amalgamating insights from these multifaceted dimensions this paper adeptly encapsulates the myriad challenges intrinsic to the evolution of hydrogen-fueled maritime vessels while concurrently casting a forward-looking gaze on their prospective trajectory.
Techno-economic Analysis of Stand-alone Hybrid PV-Hydrogen-Based Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Sep 2024
Publication
The increase in the feasibility of hydrogen-based generation makes it a promising addition to the realm of renewable energies that are being employed to address the issue of electric vehicle charging. This paper presents technical and an economical approach to evaluate a newer off-grid hybrid PV-hydrogen energy-based recharging station in the city of Jamshoro Pakistan to meet the everyday charging needs of plug-in electric vehicles. The concept is designed and simulated by employing HOMER software. Hybrid PV-hydrogen and PV-hydrogenbattery are the two different scenarios that are carried out and compared based on their both technical as well as financial standpoints. The simulation results are evident that the hybrid PV- hydrogen-battery energy system has much more financial and economic benefits as compared with the PV-hydrogen energy system. Moreover it is also seen that costs of energy from earlier from hybrid PV-hydrogen-battery is more appealing i.e. 0.358 $/kWh from 0.412 $/kWh cost of energy from hybrid PV-hydrogen. The power produced by the hybrid PV- hydrogen - battery energy for the daily load demand of 1700 kWh /day consists of two powers produced independently by the PV and fuel cells of 87.4 % and 12.6 % respectively.
Utilization of Hydrogen and Methane as Energy Carriers with Exhaust Gas Recirculation for Sustainable Diesel Engines
May 2024
Publication
Hydrogen and methane as secondary fuels in diesel engines can be promising solutions to meet energy demand. The current study investigated the effect of the specialty gases of different compositions on diesel engine performance and exhaust gases. Four gases with various compositions of exhaust gas recirculation (Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen) and fuels (Hydrogen and Methane) were used at various mass flow rates of 10 20 and 25 LPM (liter per minute) and various engine speeds of 2000 2500 3000 and 3500 rpm (revolutions per minute). The procured results revealed that adding specialty gases improved brake thermal efficiency and power. Similarly the brake-specific fuel consumption was also massively retarded compared to diesel due to the influence of the hydrogen and methane composition. However the fuel with the higher nitrogen reported less BTE (brake thermal efficiency) and comparatively higher exhaust gas temperature owing to the higher presence of nitrogen in their composition. Regarding emissions including exhaust gas recirculation dropped the formation of pollutants efficiently compared to diesel. Among various fuels Case 1 (30 % H2 5 % CH4 5 CO2 and 60 % CO) reported the lowest emission of NOx and Case 2 (25 % H2 5 % CH4 5 CO2 30 % CO and 35 % N2) of CO and CO2 emissions. Generally specialty gases with a variable composition of exhaust gas recirculation gases can be a promising sustainable replacement for existing fossil fuels.
An Improved MPC-based Energy Management Strategy for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Evs Featuring Dual-motor Coupling Powertrain
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) provide significant environmental benefits. Integrating dual-motor coupling powertrains (DMCPs) further enhances efficiency and dynamic performance. This article proposes an energy management strategy (EMS) for the hydrogen fuel cell/battery/super-capacitor system in an HFCEV with DMCP. Model predictive control (MPC) is adopted as the framework to optimize economic performance defined in this study as the hydrogen consumption cost and fuel cell degradation cost. To improve the prediction horizon and accuracy the torque split ratio for two varying permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) and the corresponding mode switching rules of the vehicle are initially established. Subsequently a combination of Dynamic Programming (DP) and MPC is selected as the framework utilizing a Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO)-optimized Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network to refine the predictive model. Finally comparisons with other predictive models and commonly used control strategies demonstrate that the proposed EMS notably improves economic performance.
Comparison Between Hydrogen and Syngas Fuels in an Integrated Micro Gas Turbine/Solar Field with Storage
Sep 2020
Publication
In recent years the use of alternative fuels in thermal engine power plants has gained more and more attention becoming of paramount importance to overcome the use of fuels from fossil sources and to reduce polluting emissions. The present work deals with the analysis of the response to two different gas fuels—i.e. hydrogen and a syngas from agriculture product—of a 30 kW micro gas turbine integrated with a solar field. The solar field included a thermal storage system to partially cover loading requests during night hours reducing fuel demand. Additionally a Heat Recovery Unit was included in the plant considered and the whole plant was simulated by Thermoflex® code. Thermodynamics analysis was performed on hour-to-hour basis for a given day as well as for 12 months; subsequently an evaluation of cogeneration efficiency as well as energy saving was made. The results are compared against plant performance achieved with conventional natural gas fueling. After analyzing the performance of the plant through a thermodynamic analysis the study was complemented with CFD simulations of the combustor to evaluate the combustion development and pollutant emissions formation particularly of NOx with the two fuels considered using Ansys-Fluent code and a comparison was made.
Optimal Expansion of a Multi-domain Virtual Power Plant for Green Hydrogen Production to Decarbonise Seaborne Passenger Transportation
Nov 2023
Publication
Many industrialised nations recently concentrated their focus on hydrogen as a viable option for the decarbonisation of fossil-intensive sectors including maritime transportation. A sustainable alternative to the conventional production of hydrogen based on fossil hydrocarbons is water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources. This paper presents a detailed techno-economic optimisation model for sizing an electrolyser and a hydrogen storage embedded in a multi-domain virtual power plant to produce green hydrogen for seaborne passenger transportation. We base our numerical analysis on three years of historical data from a renewable-dominated 60/10 kV substation on the Danish island of Bornholm and on data for ferries to the mainland of Sweden. Our analysis shows that an electrolyser system serves as a valuable flexibility asset on the electrical demand side while supporting the thermal management of the district heating system and contributing to meeting the ferries hydrogen demand. With a sized electrolyser of 9.63 MW and a hydrogen storage of 1.45 t the hydrogen assets are able to take up a large share of the local excess electricity generation. The waste heat of the electrolyser delivers a significant share of 21.4% of the annual district heating demand. Moreover the substation can supply 26% of the hydrogen demand of the ferries from local resources. We further examine the sensitivity of the asset sizing towards investment costs electrolyser efficiency and hydrogen market prices.
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