Applications & Pathways
Decarbonising International Shipping - A Life Cycle Perspective on Alternative Fuel Options
Nov 2023
Publication
This study aimed to compare hydrogen ammonia methanol and waste-derived biofuels as shipping fuels using life cycle assessment to establish what potential they have to contribute to the shipping industry’s 100% greenhouse gas emission reduction target. A novel approach was taken where the greenhouse gas emissions associated with one year of global shipping fleet operations was used as a common unit for comparison therefore allowing the potential life cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction from each fuel option to be compared relative to Paris Agreement compliant targets for international shipping. The analysis uses life cycle assessment from resource extraction to use within ships with all GHGs evaluated for a 100-year time horizon (GWP100). Green hydrogen waste-derived biodiesel and bio-methanol are found to have the best decarbonisation po tential with potential emission reductions of 74–81% 87% and 85–94% compared to heavy fuel oil; however some barriers to shipping’s decarbonisation progress are identified. None of the alternative fuels considered are currently produced at a large enough scale to meet shipping’s current energy demand and uptake of alternative fuel vessels is too slow considering the scale of the challenge at hand. The decarbonisation potential from alternative fuels alone is also found to be insufficient as no fuel option can offer the 100% emission reduction required by the sector by 2050. The study also uncovers several sensitives within the life cycles of the fuel options analysed that have received limited attention in previous life cycle investigations into alternative shipping fuels. First the choice of allocation method can potentially double the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of e-methanol due to the carbon ac counting challenges of using waste carbon dioxide streams during fuel production. This leads to concerns related to the true impact of using carbon dioxide captured from fossil-fuelled processes to produce a combustible product due to the resultant high downstream emissions. Second nitrous oxide emissions from ammonia combustion are found to be highly sensitive due to high greenhouse gas potency potentially offsetting any greenhouse reduction potential compared to heavy fuel oil. Further uncertainties are highlighted due to limited available data on the rate of nitrous oxide production from ammonia engines. The study therefore highlights an urgent need for the shipping sector to consider these factors when investing in new ammonia and methanol engines; failing to do so risks jeopardizing the sector’s progress towards decarbonisation. Finally whilst alternative fuels can offer good decarbonisation potential (particularly waste derived biomethanol and bio-diesel and green hydrogen) this cannot be achieved without accelerated investment in new and retrofit vessels and new fuel supply chains: the research concludes that existing pipeline of vessel orders and fuel production facilities is insufficient. Furthermore there is a need to integrate alternative fuel uptake with other decarbonisation strategies such as slow steaming and wind propulsion.
A Bibliometric Analysis on Renewable Energy Microgrids Integrating Hydrogen Storage: Strategies for Optimal Sizing and Energy Management
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is regarded as a viable alternative energy carrier because of its superior energy density and low emissions with great potential for decarbonizing multiple sectors and improving energy sustainability by integrating into the existing energy systems and renewable energy source within the utility. This paper provides a bibliometric assessment through an extensive review of highly cited articles on hydrogen storage integrated microgrid. The study utilized the Web of Science (WoS) database to look for specific keywords related to hydrogen storage integrated microgrid and associated research. The findings reveal that optimization highly positioned and connected to many other keywords is demonstrating its importance in the research area. Notable insights highlight the dominance of simulation-based studies a significant number of publications in toptier journals and the rise of innovative research fields including the creation of sustainable electrodes and improvements in system reliability and efficiency. The evaluation of the articles that are highly cited sheds light on diverse elements such as approach and system challenges and research spaces. This analysis shows ways to improve the performance of operation energy efficiency environmental sustainability cost-effectiveness stable supply of power on-location energy generation and flexibility thereby advancing technological innovation and fostering the development of hydrogen storage-integrated microgrids.
Enhanced Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Diesel-Algae Biodiesel-Hydrogen Blends in a Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Mar 2025
Publication
With the escalating global energy demand the pursuit of sustainable energy sources has become increasingly urgent. Among these biofuels have gained significant attention for their potential to provide renewable and eco-friendly alternatives. Biodiesel is recognized for its diverse and cost-effective feedstock options. The study provides a novel approach to the production of biodiesel by employing the use of Dunaliella salina microalgae as a green source. The research suggests the blends provide a future solution to less toxic fuel sources achieving efficiency and minimizing emissions. This research emphasize on the production of biodiesel from Dunaliella salina microalgae a promising resource due to its high energy yield. The microalgae were cultivated in an f/2 nutrient medium enriched with carbon dioxide vitamins and trace metals. A total of 700 mL of bio-oil was extracted using ultrasonication at 50 Hz for 85 minutes. Then the bio-oil was transesterified in a single-stage sodium hydroxide-catalysed process with methanol as a solvent. The process yielded a high extraction efficiency of 94%. The produced biodiesel was characterized through advanced analytical techniques including NMR spectroscopy GC-MS and FTIR test studies confirming its suitability as a fuel. Combustion and emission analyses revealed that the direct substitution of biodiesel blends for diesel in engines significantly reduced hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions although a slight increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions was noted. The combustion and emission characteristics were influenced by blend composition and calorific value. Additionally the study provides a detailed comparison of the performance of pure diesel biodiesel blends and hydrogen-enriched biodiesel in diesel engines offering valuable insights into their environmental and performance impacts. This study gives additional insights towards future work such as scalability (consisting large scale cultivation of algae for better studies) engine durability (studies on engine wear and tear) and integration with renewable energy sources (integrating renewable sources like solar and wind energies).
Hydrogen Refueling Station: Overview of the Technological Status and Research Enhancement
Jan 2023
Publication
Hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are key infrastructures rapidly spreading out to support the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles for several mobility purposes. The research interest in these energy systems is increasing focusing on different research branches: research on innovation on equipment and technology proposal and development of station layout and research aiming to provide experimental data sets for perfor mance investigation. The present manuscript aims to present an overview of the most recent literature on hydrogen stations by presenting the technological status of the system at the global level and their research enhancement on the involved components and processes. After the review of the mentioned aspects this paper will present the already existing layouts and the potential configurations of such infrastructures considering several options of the delivery routes the end-user destination and hydrogen storage thermodynamic status whether liquid or gaseous.
A Study on the Thermal Behavior of Series and Parallel Connection Methods in the Process of Hydrogenation of Ship-Borne Hydrogen Storage Cylinder
Feb 2024
Publication
As a subdivision of the hydrogen energy application field ship-borne hydrogen fuel cell systems have certain differences from vehicle or other application scenarios in terms of their structural type safety environmental adaptability and test verification. The connection method of the ship-borne hydrogen storage cylinder (SHSC) is very important for the hydrogen fuel cell ship and the structural parameters of the SHSC are particularly important in the hydrogen refueling process. To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the hydrogen-powered ship research on the filling of the SHSC under different connection modes was carried out during refueling. In our study a thermal flow physical model of the SHSC was established to research the hydrogen refueling process of the series and parallel SHSCs. The influence of series and parallel modes of the SHSCs on the hydrogen refueling process was explored and the evolution law of the internal flow field pressure and temperature of series and parallel SHSCs under different filling parameters was analyzed by numerical simulation. Our results confirmed the superiority of the parallel modular approach in terms of thermal safety during refueling. The results can supply a technical basis for the future development of hydrogen refueling stations and ship-board hydrogenation control algorithms.
An Improved Artificial Ecosystem Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Configuration of a Hybrid PV/WT/FC Energy System
Oct 2020
Publication
This paper mainly focuses on the optimal design of a grid-dependent and off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (RES). This system consists of Photovoltaic (PV) Wind Turbine (WT) as well as Fuel Cell (FC) with hydrogen gas tank for storing the energy in the chemical form. The optimal components sizes of the proposed hybrid generating system are achieved using a novel metaheuristic optimization technique. This optimization technique called Improved Artificial Ecosystem Optimization (IAEO) is proposed for enhancing the performance of the conventional Artificial Ecosystem Optimization (AEO) algorithm. The IAEO improves the convergence trends of the original AEO gives the best minimum objective function reaches the optimal solution after a few iterations numbers as well as reduces the falling into the local optima. The proposed IAEO algorithm for solving the multiobjective optimization problem of minimizing the Cost of Energy (COE) the reliability index presented by the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) and excess energy under the constraints are considered. The hybrid system is suggested to be located in Ataka region Suez Gulf (latitude 30.0 longitude 32.5) Egypt and the whole lifetime of the suggested case study is 25 years. To ensure the accurateness stability and robustness of the proposed optimization algorithm it is examined on six different configurations representing on-grid and off-grid hybrid RES. For all the studied cases the proposed IAEO algorithm outperforms the original AEO and generates the minimum value of the fitness function in less execution time. Furthermore comprehensive statistical measurements are demonstrated to prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Also the results obtained by the conventional AEO and IAEO are compared with those obtained by several well-known optimization algorithms Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). Based on the obtained simulation results the proposed IAEO has the best performance among other algorithms and it has successfully positioned itself as a competitor to novel algorithms for tackling the most complicated engineering problems.
Hydrogen-Powered Marine Vessels: A Rewarding yet Challenging Route to Decarbonization
Aug 2025
Publication
The maritime industry while indispensable to global trade is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting for approximately 3% of global emissions. As international regulatory bodies particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO) push for ambitious decarbonization targets hydrogen-based technologies have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. This review critically examines the potential of hydrogen fuels—including hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICEs)—for maritime applications. It provides a comprehensive analysis of hydrogen production methods storage technologies onboard propulsion systems and the associated techno-economic and regulatory challenges. A detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) compares the environmental impacts of hydrogenpowered vessels with conventional diesel engines revealing significant benefits particularly when green or blue hydrogen sources are utilized. Despite notable hurdles—such as high production and retrofitting costs storage limitations and infrastructure gaps—hydrogen holds considerable promise in aligning maritime operations with global sustainability goals. The study underscores the importance of coordinated government policies technological innovation and international collaboration to realize hydrogen’s potential in decarbonizing the marine sector.
Everything About Hydrogen Podcast: Electric or Hydrogen? It's 'AND' not 'OR'
May 2023
Publication
On this weeks episode we have Juergen Guldner General Program Manager Hydrogen Technology at BMW. The role of hydrogen in passenger vehicles has for many years been seen as a lonely pursuit for Toyota and Hyundai but the landscape is changing. With the Warrego from startup H2X the Ford H2 pick up the Grenadier/Defender F-Cell from INEOS and now the BMW IX5 it is clear that the race to net zero is far from settled!
In this episode the team dive into the what why and how of the BMW story towards one of the world’s most exciting zero emission vehicle offerings. We explore the details of the vehicle and its performance the reasons why BMW are exploring the potential for hydrogen and why now is the time they feel for hydrogen as a passenger vehicle solution to compliment BEV and finally the How or rather the plan for the testing and broader roll-out of not only the IX5 but also the infrastructure that supports it.
The podcast can be found on their website.
In this episode the team dive into the what why and how of the BMW story towards one of the world’s most exciting zero emission vehicle offerings. We explore the details of the vehicle and its performance the reasons why BMW are exploring the potential for hydrogen and why now is the time they feel for hydrogen as a passenger vehicle solution to compliment BEV and finally the How or rather the plan for the testing and broader roll-out of not only the IX5 but also the infrastructure that supports it.
The podcast can be found on their website.
Energy and Cost Analysis of a Hydrogen Driven High Speed Passenger Ferry
Apr 2020
Publication
BACKGROUND: Norway is facing the challenge of reducing transport emissions. High speed crafts(HSC) are the means of transport with highest emissions. Currently there is little literature or experienceof using hydrogen systems for HSC.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the economic feasibility of fuel cell (FC) powered HSC vs diesel and biodieseltoday and in a future scenario based on real world operation profile.<br/>METHOD: Historical AIS position data from the route combined with the speed-power characteristicsof a concept vessel was used to identify the energy and power demand. From the resulting data a suitableFC system was defined and an economic comparison made based on annual costs including annualizedinvestment and operational costs.<br/>RESULTS: HSC with a FC-system has an annual cost of 12.6 MNOK. It is 28% and 12% more expensivethan diesel and biodiesel alternative respectively. A sensitivity analysis with respect to 7 key design pa-rameters indicates that highest impact is made by hull energy efficiency FC system cost and hydrogen fuelcost. In a future scenario (2025–2030) with moderate technology improvements and cost developmentthe HSC with FC-systems can become competitive with diesel and cheaper than biodiesel.<br/>CONCLUSIONS: HSC with FC-systems may reach cost parity with conventional diesel in the period2025–2030.
Optimization and Dynamic Responses of an Integrated Fuel Cell and Battery System for an 800 kW Ferry: A Case Study
Aug 2022
Publication
The recent targets by different countries to stop the sales or registrations of internal combustion engines (ICE) have led to the further development of battery and fuel cell technologies to provide power for different applications. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using an integrated Lithium-Ion battery and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as the prime mover for a case study of a 800 kW ferry with a total length of 50.8 m to transport 780 passengers for a distance of 24 km in 70 min. Accounting for five types of Lithium-Ion batteries and different numbers of PEMFCs twenty-five scenarios are suggested based on a quasi-static model. To perform the optimization the Performance Criterion of the Fuel cell–Battery integrated systems (PCFB) is introduced to include the effects of the sizes weights costs hydrogen consumption efficiency and power in addition to the number of fuel cells and the battery capacity. Results indicate that the maximum PCFB value of 10.755 (1/kg2m3 $) can be obtained once the overall size weight efficiency hydrogen consumption and cost of the system are 18 m3 11160 kg 49.25% 33.6 kg and 119.58 k$ respectively using the Lithium Titanite Oxide (LTO) Lithium-Ion battery with nine PEMFCs.
Assessing the Cost-effectiveness of Carbon Neutrality for Light-duty Vehicle Sector in China
Nov 2023
Publication
China’s progress in decarbonizing its transportation particularly vehicle electrification is notable. However the economically effective pathways are underexplored. To find out how much cost is necessary for carbon neutrality for the light-duty vehicle (LDV) sector this study examines twenty decarbonization pathways combining the New Energy and Oil Consumption Credit model and the China-Fleet model. We find that the 2060 zero-greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goal for LDVs is achievable via electrification if the battery pack cost is under CNY483/kWh by 2050. However an extra of CNY8.86 trillion internal subsidies is needed under pessimistic battery cost scenarios (CNY759/kWh in 2050) to eliminate 246 million tonnes of CO2-eq by 2050 ensuring over 80% market penetration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2050. Moreover the promotion of fuel cell electric vehicles is synergy with BEVs to mitigate the carbon abatement difficulties decreasing up to 34% of the maximum marginal abatement internal investment.
Entropy Production and Filling Time in Hydrogen Refueling Stations: An Economic Assessment
Aug 2024
Publication
A multi-objective optimization is performed to obtain fueling conditions in hydrogen stations leading to improved filling times and thermodynamic efficiency (entropy production) of the de facto standard of operation which is defined by the protocol SAE J2601. After finding the Pareto frontier between filling time and total entropy production it was found that SAE J2601 is suboptimal in terms of these process variables. Specifically reductions of filling time from 47 to 77% are possible in the analyzed range of ambient temperatures (from 10 to 40 °C) with higher saving potential the hotter the weather conditions. Maximum entropy production savings with respect to SAE J2601 (7% for 10 °C 1% for 40 °C) demand a longer filling time that increases with ambient temperature (264% for 10 °C 350% for 40 °C). Considering average electricity prices in California USA the operating cost of the filling process can be reduced between 8 and 28% without increasing the expected filling time.
Synergistic Effects of Air Pollution and Carbon Reduction Policies in China’s Iron and Steel Industry
Oct 2025
Publication
As an energy-intensive sector China’s iron and steel industry is crucial for achieving “Dual Carbon” goals. This study fills the research gap in systematically comparing the synergistic effects of multiple policies by evaluating five key measures (2020–2023) in ultra-low-emission retrofits and clean energy alternatives. Using public macro-data at the national level this study quantified cumulative reductions in air pollutants (SO2 NOx PM VOCs) and CO2. A synergistic control effect coordinate system and a normalized synergistic emission reduction equivalent (APeq) model were employed. The results reveal significant differences: Sintering machine desulfurization and denitrification (SDD) showed the highest APeq but increased CO2 emissions in 2023. Dust removal equipment upgrades (DRE) and unorganized emission control (UEC) demonstrated stable co-reduction effects. While electric furnace short-process steelmaking (ES) and hydrogen metallurgy (HM) showed limited current benefits they represent crucial deep decarbonization pathways. The framework provides multi-dimensional policy insights beyond simple ranking suggesting balancing short-term pollution control with long-term transition by prioritizing clean alternatives.
Renewable Energy Storage in a Poly-Generative System Fuel Cell/Electrolyzer, Supporting Green Mobility in a Residential Building
Oct 2025
Publication
The European Commission through the REPowerEU plan and the “Fit for 55” package aims to reduce fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting electric and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (EV-FCHEVs). The transition to this mobility model requires energy systems that are able to provide both electricity and hydrogen while reducing the reliance of residential buildings on the national grid. This study analyses a poly-generative (PG) system composed of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) fed by biomethane a Photovoltaic (PV) system and a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyser (PEME) with electric vehicles used as dynamic storage units. The assessment is based on simulation tools developed for the main components and applied to four representative seasonal days in Rende (Italy) considering different daily travel ranges of a 30-vehicle fleet. Results show that the PG system provides about 27 kW of electricity 14.6 kW of heat and 3.11 kg of hydrogen in winter spring and autumn and about 26 kW 14 kW and 3.11 kg in summer; it fully covers the building’s electrical demand in summer and hot water demand in all seasons. The integration of EV batteries reduces grid dependence improves renewable self-consumption and allows for the continuous and efficient operation of both the SOFC and PEME demonstrating the potential of the proposed system to support the green transition.
Review and Evaluation of Hydrogen and Air Heat Exchangers for Fuel Cell-Powered Electric Aircraft Propulsion
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen fuel cell systems are a viable option for electrified aero engines due to their efficiency and environmental benefits. However integrating these systems presents challenges notably in terms of overall system weight and thermal management. Heat exchangers are crucial for the effective thermal management system of electric propulsion systems in commercial electrified aviation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various heat exchanger types and evaluates their potential applications within these systems. Selection criteria are established based on the specific requirements for air and hydrogen heat exchangers in electrified aircraft. The study highlights the differences in weighting criteria for these two types of heat exchangers and applies a weighted point rating system to assess their performance. Results indicate that extended surface microchannel and printed circuit heat exchangers exhibit significant promise for aviation applications. The paper also identifies key design challenges and research needs particularly in enhancing net heat dissipation increasing compactness improving reliability and ensuring effective integration with aircraft systems.
Evaluating the Role of Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier: Perspectives on Low-Emission Applications
Oct 2025
Publication
Application of low-emission hydrogen production methods in the decarbonization process remains a highly relevant topic particularly in the context of sustainable hydrogen value chains. This study evaluates hydrogen applications beyond industry focusing on its role as an energy carrier and applying multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assess economics environmental impact efficiency and technological readiness. The analysis confirmed that hydrogen use for heating was the most competitive non-industrial application (ranking first in 66%) with favorable efficiency and costs. Power generation placed among the top two alternatives in 75% of cases. Transport end-use was less suitable due to compression requirements raising emissions to 272–371 g CO2/kg H2 and levelizing the cost of hydrogen (LCOH) to 13–17 EUR/kg. When H2 transport was included new pipelines and compressed H2 clearly outperformed other methods for short- and long-distances adding only 3.2–3.9% to overall LCOH. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that electricity price variations had a stronger influence on LCOH than capital expenditures. Comparing electrolysis technologies yielded that proton-exchange membrane and solid oxide reduced costs by 12–20% and CO2 emissions by 15–25% compared to alkaline. The study highlights heating end-use and compressed hydrogen and pipeline transport proving MCDA to be useful for selecting scalable pathways.
Vehicle Peak Power Management System: Design, Development, and Testing of a Fuel Cell and Supercapacitor Hybrid
Oct 2025
Publication
The passive combination of fuel cells and supercapacitors possesses promising applications in the automotive industry due to its ability to decrease stack size maintain peak power capacity improve system productivity and go away with the need for additional control all without Direct current to Direct Current (DC/DC) converters. This research describes the steps to create and evaluate a fuel cell (FC) and supercapacitor (SC) passive hybrid electrical system for a 60-V lightweight vehicle. Also study offers a thorough design approach and model and experimentally to validate every passive hybrid testing station component. When both concepts are stable the voltage errors are about 2 % and 3 % respectively for fuel cells and supercapacitors. The results of the experiments provide more evidence that the passive design is effective under step loads and driving cycles. The results of the measurements match the models used to simulate the passive hybrid system if a step load voltage is used. A smaller FC stack is possible since the fuel cell controls the steady-state current. Alternatively the supercapacitors provide varying currents because of their reduced resistance. This study use a driving cycle to show that the FC stack can lower its output to 25 % of the peak power required by the load.
Economic Value Creation of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Variable Renewable Energy Resource Integration to Power Systems: A Systematic Review
Mar 2025
Publication
The integration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources in power systems is increased for a sustainable environment. However due to the intermittent nature of VRE sources formulating efficient economic dispatching strategies becomes challenging. This systematic review aims to elucidate the economic value creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supporting the integration of VRE sources into power systems by reviewing the role of AI in mitigating costs related to balancing profile and grid with a focus on its applications for generation and demand forecasting market design demand response storage solutions power quality enhancement and predictive maintenance. The proposed study evaluates the AI potential in economic efficiency and operational reliability improvement by analyzing the use cases with various Renewable Energy Resources (RERs) including wind solar geothermal hydro ocean bioenergy hydrogen and hybrid systems. Furthermore the study also highlights the development and limitations of AI-driven approaches in renewable energy sector. The findings of this review aim to highlight AI’s critical role in optimizing VRE integration ultimately informing policymakers researchers and industry stakeholders about the potential of AI for an economically sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.
Optimization Control of Flexible Power Supply System Applied to Offshore Wind–Solar Coupled Hydrogen Production
Jun 2025
Publication
The inherent randomness and intermittency of offshore renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power pose significant challenges to the stable and secure operation of the power grid. These fluctuations directly affect the performance of grid-connected systems particularly in terms of harmonic distortion and load response. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a novel harmonic control strategy and load response optimization approach. An integrated three-winding transformer filter is designed to mitigate high-frequency harmonics and a control strategy based on converter-side current feedback is implemented to enhance system stability. Furthermore a hybrid PI-VPI control scheme combined with feedback filtering is employed to improve the system’s transient recovery capability under fluctuating load and generation conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control algorithm based on a transformer-oriented model effectively suppresses low-order harmonic currents. In addition the system exhibits strong anti-interference performance during sudden voltage and power variations providing a reliable foundation for the modulation and optimization of offshore wind–solar coupled hydrogen production power supply systems.
Medium Speed Lean Hydrogen Engine Modelling and Validation
Sep 2025
Publication
Hydrogen spark-ignition direct-injection engines result in no carbon emissions at use but NOX remains a challenge. This study demonstrates that with lean combustion (ϕ < 0.38) in-cylinder NOX can be reduced to a quarter of the current maritime regulatory limit. An original contribution of this work is the use of speciesresolved emissions formation across multiple engine load conditions. A novel chemically detailed combustion modelling framework was developed in CHEMKIN-Pro incorporating the evolution of the CRECK C1–C3 NOX mechanism for improved high-pressure accuracy. The framework was extensively validated using crank-angleresolved data across 9–18 bar loads. The model accurately reproduced pressure traces heat release angles and NOX. Mechanistic analysis revealed a shift from thermal Zeldovich NOX to intermediate-species (notably N2Odriven) as equivalence ratio and pressure varied. The findings highlighted the use of a high-fidelity chemical kinetic modelling framework not only to match experimental results but to gain physically grounded insight into actionable near-zero emission strategies.
A Capacity Expansion Model of Hydrogen Energy Storage for Urban-Scale Power Systems: A Case Study in Shanghai
Sep 2025
Publication
With the increasing maturity of renewable energy technologies and the pressing need to address climate change urban power systems are striving to integrate a higher proportion of low-carbon renewable energy sources. However the inherent variability and intermittency of wind and solar power pose significant challenges to the stability and reliability of urban power grids. Existing research has primarily focused on short-term energy storage solutions or small-scale integrated energy systems which are insufficient to address the long-term large-scale energy storage needs of urban areas with high renewable energy penetration. This paper proposes a mid-to-long-term capacity expansion model for hydrogen energy storage in urban-scale power systems using Shanghai as a case study. The model employs mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) to optimize the generation portfolios from the present to 2060 under two scenarios: with and without hydrogen storage. The results demonstrate that by 2060 the installed capacity of hydrogen electrolyzers could reach 21.5 GW and the installed capacity of hydrogen power generators could reach 27.5 GW accounting for 30% of the total installed capacity excluding their own. Compared to the base scenario the electricity–hydrogen collaborative energy supply system increases renewable penetration by 11.6% and utilization by 12.9% while reducing the levelized cost of urban comprehensive electricity (LCOUCE) by 2.514 cents/kWh. These findings highlight the technical feasibility and economic advantages of deploying long-term hydrogen storage in urban grids providing a scalable solution to enhance the stability and efficiency of high-renewable urban power systems.
Transient-state Behaviours of Blast Furnace Ironmaking: The Role of Shaft-injected Hydrogen
Aug 2025
Publication
Hydrogen shaft injection into blast furnaces (BFs) has a large potential to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions yet the temporal evolution of thermal and chemical states following shaft-injected hydrogen utilisation has not been reported in the open literature. In this research a recently developed transient-state multifluid BF model is applied to elucidate the temporal evolution of in-furnace phenomena. Besides a domain-average method is adopted to analyse the extensive simulation data to determine the time required to attain the next steady-like state. The results show that the evolution of thermal and chemical conditions varies across different regions with distinct characteristics near the furnace wall. The shifts in iron oxide reduction behaviour are completed within 10 to 20 h after the new operation and the transition time points to the next steady-like states of thermal and chemical conditions are different. As the hydrogen flow rate increases the average transition time decreases. However 2 to 4 days are required for the studied BF to reach a new steady-like state in the considered scenarios. The model offers a cost-effective approach to investigating the transient smelting characteristics of an ironmaking BF with hydrogen injection.
Hydrogen Energy Resource: Overview of Production Techniques, Economy and Application in Microgrid Systems Operation
Sep 2025
Publication
Hydrogen (H2) fuel is one of eco-friendly resources for delivering de-carbonized and sustainable electricity supply in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 for affordable and clean energy and climate change action respectively. This paper presents a state-of-the art review of the H2 energy resource in terms of its history and evolution production techniques global economy market perspective and application to microgrid systems. It also introduces a systematic classification of the fuel. The production techniques examined include: the thermal approach such as the reforming gasification and thermochemical processes; the photocatalytic approach otherwise called artificial photosynthesis; the biological and photonic approach that involves the photolysis photo-fermentation dark fermentation CO gas fermentation and biomass valorization processes to produce H2 while the electrical approach is based on the chemical dissociation of electrolytes into their constituent ions by the passage of electric current. A particular attention is paid to the potential of the H2 resource in running some energy generators in microgrid systems such as the internal combustion engines microturbines and the fuel cells that are useful for combined heat and power application. The paper introduces different technical configurations topologies and processes that involve the use of green H2 fuel in generating systems and the connection of bus bars power converters battery bank and the electrical and thermal loads. The paper also presents hybrid fuel cell (FC) and PV system simulation using System Advisor Model (SAM) to showcase the use of H2 fuel in a micogrid. The paper provides insightful directions into the H2 economy smart electrical grid and the future prospects.
Techno-Economic Assessment of Hydrogen-Based Power-to-Power Systems: Operational Strategies and Feasibility Within Energy Communities
Jun 2025
Publication
In the context of the evolving energy landscape the need to harness renewable energy sources (RESs) has become increasingly imperative. Within this framework hydrogen emerges as a promising energy storage vector offering a viable solution to the flexibility challenges caused by the inherent variability of RESs. This work investigates the feasibility of integrating a hydrogen-based energy storage system within an energy community in Barcelona using surplus electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels. A power-to-power configuration is modelled through a comprehensive methodology that determines optimal component sizing based on high-resolution real-world data. This analysis explores how different operational strategies influence the system’s cost-effectiveness. The methodology is thus intended to assist in the early-stage decision-making process offering a flexible approach that can be adapted to various market conditions and operational scenarios. The results show that under the current conditions the combination of PV generation energy storage and low-cost grid electricity purchases yield the most favourable outcomes. However in a long-term perspective considering projected cost reductions for hydrogen technologies strategies including energy sales back to the grid become more profitable. This case study offers a practical example of balancing engineering and economic considerations providing replicable insights for designing hydrogen storage systems in similar energy communities.
Numerical Investigation of Premixed Hydrogen Combustion in Dual-fuel Marine Engines at High Load
Jun 2025
Publication
Zero-emission fuels are expected to drive the maritime sector decarbonisation with hydrogen emerging as a long-term solution. This study aims to investigate by using CFD modelling a hydrogen fuelled marine dual-fuel engine to identify operating settings ranges for different hydrogen energy fractions (HEF) as well as parametrically optimise the diesel fuel injection timing and temperature at inlet valve closing (IVC). A large marine four-stroke engine with nominal power of 10.5 MW at 500 rev/m is considered assuming operation at 90 % load and hydrogen injection in the cylinders intake ports. CFD models are developed for several operating scenarios in both diesel and dual-fuel modes. The models are validated against measured data for the engine diesel mode and literature data for a hydrogen-fuelled light-duty engine. A convergence study is conducted to select the grid compromising between computational effort and accuracy. Parametric runs for 20 % 40 % and 60 % HEF with different IVC temperature and diesel start of injection are modelled to quantify the engine performance emissions and combustion characteristics. A single parameter optimisation is conducted to determine the most effective pilot diesel injection timings. The results reveal the IVC temperature range for stable hydrogen combustion to avoid incomplete combustion at low IVC temperature and knocking above 360 K. The proposed settings lead to higher peak heat release rate and in-cylinder pressure compared to the diesel mode without exceeding the permissible in-cylinder pressure rise limits for 60 % HEF. However NOx emissions increase to 12.9 g/kWh in the dual-fuel mode. The optimal start of injection (SOI) for the diesel fuel in the case of 60 % HEF is found 8 ◦CA BTDC resulting in an indicated thermal efficiency of 43.2 % and stable combustion. Advancing SOI beyond the optimal value results in incomplete combustion. This is the first study on hydrogen use in large marine four-stroke engines providing insights for the engine design and operation and as such it contributes to the maritime industry decarbonisation efforts.
Innovative Aircraft Propulsive Configurations: Technology Evaluation and Operations in the SIENA Project
Mar 2025
Publication
In this paper developed in the context of the Clean Sky 2 project SIENA (Scalability Investigation of hybrid-Electric concepts for Next-generation Aircraft) an extensive analysis is carried out to identify and accelerate the development of innovative propulsion technologies and architectures that can be scaled across five aircraft categories from small General Aviation airplanes to long-range airliners. The assessed propulsive architectures consider various components such as batteries and fuel cells to provide electricity as well as electric motors and jet engines to provide thrust combined to find feasible aircraft architectures that satisfy certification constraints and deliver the required performance. The results provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of key technology performance indicators on aircraft performance. They also highlight technology switching points as well as the potential for scaling up technologies from smaller to larger aircraft based on different hypotheses and assumptions concerning the upcoming technological advancements of components crucial for the decarbonization of aviation. Given the considered scenarios the common denominator of the obtained results is hydrogen as the main energy source. The presented work shows that for the underlying models and technology assumptions hydrogen can be efficiently used by fuel cells for propulsive and system power for smaller aircraft (General Aviation commuter and regional) typically driven by propellers. For short- to long-range jet aircraft direct combustion of hydrogen combined with a fuel cell to power the on-board subsystems appears favorable. The results are obtained for two different temporal scenarios 2030 and 2050 and are assessed using Payload-Range Energy Efficiency as the key performance indicator. Naturally introducing such innovative architectures will face a lack of applicable regulation which could hamper a smooth entry into service. These regulatory gaps are assessed detailing the level of maturity in current regulations for the different technologies and aircraft categories.
Comparison of Large Eddy Simulation with Local Species, Temperature and Velocity Measurements in Dual Swirl Confined Hydrogen Flames
Oct 2025
Publication
Developing new injection systems and combustion chambers for hydrogen is a central topic for the new generation of engines. In this effort simulations take a central role but methods developed for conventional hydrocarbons (methane kerosene) must be revisited for hydrogen. Validation then becomes an essential part and clean well documented experiments are needed to guaranty that computational fluid dynamics solvers are as predictive and accurate as expected. In this framework the HYLON case is a swirled hydrogen/air burner used by multiple groups worldwide to validate simulation methods for hydrogen combustion in configurations close to gas turbine burners with experimental data available through the TNF web site. The present study compares recent Raman spectroscopy and Particle Image Velocimetry measurements and Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The LES results are evaluated against a dataset comprising mean and RMS measurements of H2 N2 O2 H2O molar fractions temperature and velocity fields offering new insights into flame stabilization mechanisms. The simulations incorporate conjugate heat transfer to predict the combustor wall temperatures and are conducted for two atmospheric-pressure operating conditions each representing distinct combustion regimes diffusion and partially premixed. Novelty and significance statement Data on confined hydrogen flames in burner similar as industrial ones are limited. This work aims to fill this gap by performing multiple and simultaneous diagnostics on the swirled hydrogen-air flame called HYLON. For the first time in such a swirled configuration mean and RMS fields of temperature main species and velocities are compared to LES allowing new insight into the potential and limits of the models as well as the physics of these flames. These experimental results will be made available on TNF as over 30 research groups worldwide have expressed interest in using them.
Pathways for Hydrogen Adoption in the Brazilian Trucking Industry: A Low-Carbon Alternative to Fossil Fuels
Oct 2025
Publication
The growing demand for sustainable solutions in the transportation sector and global decarbonization goals have fueled debate on using hydrogen as an energy source. Although hydrogen’s potential is recognized in Brazil its application in heavy-duty vehicles still faces structural and technological barriers. This study aimed to analyze the viability of hydrogen as an energy alternative for trucks in Brazil. The research adopted an exploratory qualitative approach based on the expert analysis method through semi-structured interviews with development engineers representatives of heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers and researchers specializing in hydrogen technologies. The data were organized into a thematic framework and interpreted using content analysis. The results show that although there is growing interest and ongoing initiatives challenges such as the cost of fuel cells the lack of refueling infrastructure and low technological maturity hinder large-scale adoption. From a theoretical perspective the study contributes by integrating specialized literature with practical insights from key industry players broadening the understanding of the energy transition. In practical terms it outlines some strategic paths such as expanding technological development and forming partnerships. From a social perspective it emphasizes the importance of hydrogen as a pillar for sustainable low-carbon mobility capable of positively impacting public health and mitigating climate change.
Planning Energy Hubs with Hydrogen and Battery Storage for Flexible Ramping Market Participation
Oct 2025
Publication
The integration of renewable resources with advanced storage technologies is critical for sustainable energy systems. In this paper a planning framework for an energy hub incorporating hydrogen and renewable energy systems is developed with the objective of minimizing operational costs while participating in flexible ramping product (FRP) markets. The energy hub is designed to utilize a hybrid storage system comprising multi-type battery energy storage (BESS) accounting for diverse chemistries and degradation behaviors and hydrogen storage (HS) to meet concurrent electric and hydrogen demands. To address uncertainties in renewable generation and market prices a stochastic optimization model is developed to determine the optimal investment capacities while optimizing operational decisions under uncertainty using scenario-based stochastic programming. Financial risks associated with price and renewable variability are mitigated through the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) metric. Case studies demonstrate that hybrid storage systems including both BESS and HS can reduce total costs by 23.62% compared to single-storage configurations that rely solely on BESS. Based on the results BESS participates more in providing flexible ramp-up services while HS plays a major role in providing flexible ramp-down services. The results emphasize the critical role of co-optimized hydrogen and multi-type BESS in enhancing grid flexibility and economic viability.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Addressing Barriers to Global Adoption
Oct 2025
Publication
The aviation industry is responsible for approximately 2–3% of worldwide CO2 emissions and is increasingly subjected to demands for the attainment of net-zero emissions targets by the year 2050. Traditional fossil jet fuels which exhibit lifecycle emissions of approximately 89 kg CO2-eq/GJ play a substantial role in exacerbating climate change contributing to local air pollution and fostering energy insecurity. In contrast Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) derived from renewable feedstocks including biomass municipal solid waste algae or through CO2- and H2-based power-to-liquid (PtL) represent a pivotal solution for the immediate future. SAFs generally accomplish lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of 50–80% (≈20–30 kg CO2-eq/GJ) possess reduced sulfur and aromatic content and markedly diminish particulate emissions thus alleviating both climatic and health-related repercussions. In addition to their environmental advantages SAFs promote energy diversification lessen reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets and invigorate regional economies with projections indicating the creation of up to one million green jobs by 2030. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on SAF sustainability advantages compared to conventional aviation fuels identifying critical barriers to large-scale deployment and proposing integrated solutions that combine technological innovation supportive policy frameworks and international collaboration to accelerate the aviation industry’s sustainable transformation.
Strategies to Increase Hydrogen Energy Share of a Dual-Fuel Hydrogen–Kerosene Engine for Sustainable General Aviation
Mar 2025
Publication
Reducing CO2 emissions in general aviation is a critical challenge where battery electric and fuel cell technologies face limitations in energy density cost and robustness. As a result hydrogen (H2) dual-fuel combustion is a promising alternative but its practical implementation is constrained by abnormal combustion phenomena such as knocking and pre-ignition which limit the achievable H2 energy share. In response to these challenges this paper focuses on strategies to mitigate these irregular combustion phenomena while effectively increasing the H2 energy share. Experimental evaluations were conducted on an engine test bench using a one-cylinder dual-fuel H2 kerosene (Jet A-1) engine utilizing two strategies including water injection (WI) and rising the air–fuel ratio (AFR) by increasing the boost pressure. Additionally crucial combustion characteristics and emissions are examined and discussed in detail contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes. The results indicate that these strategies notably increase the maximal possible hydrogen energy share with potential benefits for emissions reduction and efficiency improvement. Finally through the use of 0D/1D simulations this paper offers critical thermodynamic and efficiency loss analyses of the strategies enhancing the understanding of their overall impact.
Effect of Hydrogen Co-Firing with Natural Gas on Thermal Efficiency and CO2 Emissions in Gas Turbine Power Plant
Mar 2025
Publication
The Indonesian government has established an energy transition policy for decarbonization including the target of utilizing hydrogen for power generation through a co-firing scheme. Several studies indicate that hydrogen co-firing in gas-fired power plants can reduce CO2 emissions while improving efficiency. This study develops a simulation model for hydrogen co-firing in an M701F gas turbine at the Cilegon power plant using Aspen HYSYS. The impact of different hydrogen volume fractions (5–30%) on thermal efficiency and CO2 emissions is analyzed under varying operational loads (100% 75% and 50%). The simulation results show an increase in thermal efficiency with each 5% increment in the hydrogen fraction averaging 0.32% at 100% load 0.34% at 75% load and 0.37% at 50% load. The hourly CO2 emission rate decreased by an average of 2.16% across all operational load variations for every 5% increase in the hydrogen fraction. Meanwhile the average reduction in CO2 emission intensity at the 100% 75% and 50% operational loads was 0.017 0.019 and 0.023 kg CO2/kWh respectively.
A Configuration and Scheduling Optimization Method for Integrated Energy Systems Considering Massive Flexible Load Resources
Mar 2025
Publication
Introduction: With the increasing demand for energy utilization efficiency and minimization of environmental carbon emissions in industrial parks optimizing the configuration and scheduling of integrated energy systems has become crucial. This study focuses on integrated energy systems with massive flexible load resources aiming to maximize energy utilization efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Methods: To model the uncertainties in wind and solar power outputs we employed three-parameter Weibull distribution models and Beta distribution models. Flexible loads were categorized into three types to match different electricity consumption patterns. Additionally an enhanced Kepler Optimization Algorithm (EKOA) was proposed incorporating chaos mapping and adaptive learning rate strategies to improve search scope convergence speed and solution efficiency. The effectiveness of the proposed optimization scheduling and configuration methods was validated through a case study of an industrial park located in a coastal area of southeastern China. Results: The results show that using three-parameter Weibull distribution models and Beta distribution models more accurately reflects the variations in actual wind speeds and solar irradiance levels achieving peak shaving and valley filling effects and enhancing renewable energy utilization. The EKOA algorithm significantly reduced curtailment rates of wind and solar power generation while achieving substantial economic benefits. Compared with other operation modes of hydrogen the daily average cost is reduced by 12.92% and external electricity purchases are reduced by an average of 20.2 MW h/day. Discussion: Although our approach shows potential in improving energy utilization efficiency and economic gains this paper only considered hydrogen energy for single-use pathways and did not account for the economic benefits from selling hydrogen in the market. Future research will further incorporate hydrogen demand response mechanisms and optimize the output of integrated energy systems from the perspective of spot markets. These findings provide valuable references for relevant engineering applications.
Integrated Energy Storage and Transmission Solutions: Evaluating hydrogen, Ammonia, and Compressed Air for Offshore Wind Power Delivery
Mar 2025
Publication
This paper introduces a novel dual-purpose transmission system that integrates power transmission and energy storage using hydrogen ammonia and compressed air—an area largely unexplored in the literature. Unlike conventional cable transmission which requires separate storage infrastructure the proposed approach leverages the transmission medium itself as an energy storage solution enhancing system efficiency and reducing costs. By incorporating a defined storage allocation factor this study examines the delivery of offshore-generated power to onshore locations calculating the necessary media flow rates and evaluating the required transportation infrastructure including tunnels and pipelines. A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis is conducted to determine optimal conditions under which storage-integrated transmission outperforms conventional cable transmission. Various transmission powers storage fractions pressures and distances are analysed to assess feasibility and economic viability. The findings indicate that for a 75 % storage allocation factor compressed air can transmit up to 450 MW over 300 km more cost-effectively than cables while hydrogen enables 230 MW transmission beyond 310 km. Ammonia proves to be the most efficient facilitating the transmission of over 2000 MW across distances exceeding 140 km at a lower cost than cables all without requiring onshore storage. Moreover for a 500-km transmission line compressed air hydrogen and ammonia can store the equivalent of 62 58 and 152 h of wind farm output respectively significantly reducing the need for additional onshore storage. This study fills a critical research gap by optimizing offshore wind power delivery through an innovative cost-effective and scalable transmission and storage approach.
Progress on Research and Application of Energy and Power Systems for Inland Waterway Vessels: A Case Study of the Yangtze River in China
Aug 2025
Publication
This study focuses on the power systems of inland waterway vessels in Chinese Yangtze River systematically outlining the low-carbon technology pathways for different power system types. A comparative analysis is conducted on the technical feasibility emission reduction potential and economic viability of LNG methanol ammonia pure electric and hybrid power systems revealing the bottlenecks hindering the large-scale application of each system. Key findings indicate that: (1) LNG and methanol fuels offer significant short-term emission reductions in internal combustion engine power systems yet face constraints from methane slip and insufficient green methanol production capacity respectively; (2) ammonia enables zero-carbon operations but requires breakthroughs in combustion stability and synergistic control of NOX; (3) electric vessels show high decarbonization potential but battery energy density limits their range while PEMFC lifespan constraints and SOFC thermal management deficiencies impede commercialization; (4) hybrid/range-extended power systems with superior energy efficiency and lower retrofitting costs serve as transitional solutions for existing vessels though challenged by inadequate energy management strategies and multi-equipment communication protocol interoperability. A phased transition pathway is proposed: LNG/methanol engines and hybrid systems dominate during 2025–2030; ammonia-powered systems and solid-state batteries scale during 2030–2035; post-2035 operations achieve zero-carbon shipping via green hydrogen/ammonia.
Hydrogen Mole Fraction Distributions Inferred from Inverse-LIF Measurements on High-pressure Hydrogen Injections
Oct 2025
Publication
The mixing of fuel and ambient in a compression-igniting combustion engine is a critical process affecting ignition delay burn duration and cycle efficiency. This study aims to visualize and quantify hydrogen mole fraction distributions resulting from high-pressure (10 MPa) hydrogen injections into an inert pressurized (1 MPa) nitrogen ambient at room temperature. Using inverse planar laser-induced fluorescence in which the ambient rather than the jet is seeded with a fluorescent tracer two different injectors (nozzle hole sizes of 0.55 and 0.65 mm) and two different tracers (toluene and acetone) are compared. It is concluded that a non-intensified CCD camera for fluorescence detection is superior to the use of an intensified one due to the linear behavior on contrast. The two injectors produce similar jets in terms of jet penetration and angle. Jet penetration derived from inverse-LIF measurements agree with Schlieren data on nominally the same jets but the hydrogen mole fractions are generally 2.5-5 percent lower than those obtained by planar Rayleigh scattering. Quasi-steadiness and self-similarity were found for ensemble-averaged mole fraction distributions of both injectors which aligns with theory and highlights the importance of using RANS simulations or time-averaged experiments for future comparisons.
Multi-Fuel SOFC System Modeling for Ship Propulsion: Comparative Performance Analysis and Feasibility Assessment of Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen as Marine Fuels
Oct 2025
Publication
To reduce fossil fuel dependency in shipping adopting alternative fuels and innovative propulsion systems is essential. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) powered by hydrogen carriers represent a promising solution. This study investigates a multi-fuel SOFC system for ocean-going vessels capable of operating with ammonia methanol or hydrogen thus enhancing bunkering flexibility. A thermodynamic model is developed to simulate the performance of a 3 kW small-scale system subsequently scaling up to a 10 MW configuration to meet the power demand of a container ship used as the case study. Results show that methanol is the most efficient fueling option reaching a system efficiency of 58% while ammonia and hydrogen reach slightly lower values of about 55% and 51% respectively due to higher auxiliary power consumption. To assess technical feasibility two installation scenarios are considered for accommodating multiple fuel tanks. The first scenario seeks the optimal fuel share equivalent to the diesel tank’s chemical energy (17.6 GWh) minimizing mass increase. The second scenario optimizes the fuel share within the available tank volume (1646 m3 ) again minimizing mass penalties. In both cases feasibility results have highlighted that changes are needed in terms of cargo reduction equal to 20.3% or alternatively in terms of lower autonomy with an increase in refueling stops. These issues can be mitigated by the benefits of increased bunkering flexibility
Hydrogen-Based Solutions for Enhancing Frequency Stability in Renewable Energy-Integrated Power Systems
Mar 2025
Publication
With the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power it is essential to achieve carbon neutrality. However several shortcomings including their intermittence pose significant challenges to the stability of the electrical grid. This study explores hydrogen-based technologies such as fuel cells and water electrolysis systems as an effective solution to improve frequency stability and address the problems of power grid reliability. Using power system analysis programs modeling and simulations performed on IEEE-25 Bus and Jeju Island systems demonstrate the potential of these technologies to mitigate reductions reduce transmission constraints and stabilize frequencies. The results show that hydrogen-based systems are important factors enabling sustainable energy transition.
Market Readiness Analysis: Expected Uptake of Alternative Fuel Heavy-duty Vehicles until 2030 and their Corresponding Infrastructure Needs
Jun 2025
Publication
This report assesses the market readiness of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and the required infrastructure to meet the 45% emission reduction targets set by the revised CO2 standards by 2030. Achieving these goals requires the widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles and a robust recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure Three main aspects are investigated: the market readiness of the vehicles considering both the demand and supply side the corresponding infrastructure requirements and the barriers. Building on the inputs of the stakeholders a ‘study scenario’ is developed. This scenario shows a concrete picture of what the zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle fleet and its infrastructure requirement could look like by 2030. There are however key barriers that need to be overcome such as high total cost of ownership limited electricity grid capacity lengthy permitting processes and uncertainty in hydrogen availability and pricing. Stakeholders also emphasize the importance of policy drivers such as emissions trading systems and tolling and tax reforms to stimulate demand. In conclusion achieving the 2030 targets demands a coordinated approach involving manufacturers operators and policymakers to address infrastructure gaps market barriers and policy incentives ensuring the transition to a zero-emission HDV fleet.
A Study on Thermal Management Systems for Fuel-Cell Powered Regional Aircraft
Jun 2025
Publication
This work studies the feasibility of integrating a hydrogen-powered propulsion system in a regional aircraft at the conceptual design level. The developed system consists of fuel cells which will be studied at three technological levels and batteries also studied for four hybridization factors (X = 0 0.05 0.10 0.20). Hydrogen can absorb great thermal loads since it is stored in the tank at cryogenic temperatures and is used as fuel in the fuel cells at around 80 ◦C. Taking advantage of this characteristic two thermal management system (TMS) architectures were developed to ensure the proper functioning of the aircraft during the designated mission: A1 which includes a vapor compression system (VCS) and A2 which omits it for a simpler design. The models were developed in MATLAB® and consist of different components and technologies commonly used in such systems. The analysis reveals that A2 due to the exclusion of the VCS outperformed A1 in weight (10–23% reduction) energy consumption and drag. A1’s TMS required significantly more energy due to the VCS compressor. Hybridization with batteries increased system weight substantially (up to 37% in A2) and had a greater impact on energy consumption in A2 due to additional fan work. Hydrogen’s heat sink capacity remained underutilized and the hydrogen tank was deemed suitable for a non-integral fuselage design. A2 had the lowest emissions (10–20% lower than A1 for X = 0) but hybridization negated these benefits significantly increasing emissions in pessimistic scenarios.
Modeling Homogeneous, Stratified, and Diffusion Combustion in Hydrogen SI Engines Using the Wiebe Approach
Jun 2025
Publication
The use of hydrogen as a fuel for piston engines enables environmentally friendly and efficient operation. However several challenges arise in the combustion process limiting the development of hydrogen engines. These challenges include abnormal combustion the high burning velocity of hydrogen-enriched mixtures increased nitrogen oxide emissions and others. A rational organization of hydrogen combustion can partially or fully mitigate these issues through the use of advanced methods such as late direct injection charge stratification dual injection jet-guided operation and others. However mathematical models describing hydrogen combustion for these methods are still under development complicating the optimization and refinement of hydrogen engines. Previously we proposed a mathematical model based on Wiebe functions to describe premixed and diffusion combustion as well as relatively slow combustion in lean-mixture zones behind the flame front and near-wall regions. This study further develops the model by accounting for the combined influence of the mixture composition and engine speed mixture stratification and the effects of injection and ignition parameters on premixed and diffusion combustion. Special attention is given to combustion modeling in an engine with single injection and jet-guided operation.
Experimental Study on the Effects of Injection Pressure and Injection Timing on Combustion and Emissions in a Direct-injection Hydrogen Engine
Oct 2025
Publication
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are pivotal components of the power industry for achieving zero-carbon emissions. However the development of hydrogen engines is still in its infancy and experimental research on their injection strategies lacks systematization. In this study the individual impacts of hydrogen injection pressure (within low-pressure ranges) and injection timing as well as their coupling effects on combustion characteristics engine efficiency and exhaust emissions were experimentally investigated. Results show that under fixed timing an injection pressure of 25–27.5 bar yields the highest and earliest peak in-cylinder pressures whereas at 15 bar the ignition delay increases to 14.7°CA the flame development duration extends to 8.57°CA and the late combustion duration shortens to 41.37°CA; the exhaust gas temperature peaks at 628 K at 20 bar and NOX peaks at 537 ppm at 25 bar. BTE (brake thermal efficiency) exhibits a U-shaped relationship with pressure with the minimum efficiency occurring near 25 bar when timing is held constant; advancing start of injection from 130° BTDC to 170° BTDC reduces both NOX and exhaust gas temperature with the optimal fuel economy at 140° BTDC and a peak in-cylinder pressure that is approximately 7 % higher and occurs 2–3°CA earlier at 130–140° BTDC. In the pressure–timing maps IMEP (indicated mean effective pressure) is maximized at 30 bar and 90° BTDC; BTE reaches 33.5 % at 25 bar and 100° BTDC; NOX attains a minimum at 25 bar and 110° BTDC while the exhaust gas temperature is lowest at 25 bar and 120° BTDC. Injection pressure is the primary lever for regulating fuel economy and emissions while injection timing mainly adjusts combustion phasing and IMEP. The results provide clear guidance for calibrating low-pressure hydrogen injection systems supply benchmark data for model validation and support the development of practical control strategies for hydrogen engines.
Equipment Sizing and Operation Strategy of Photovoltaic-Powered Hydrogen Refueling Station Based on AE-PEM Coupled Hydrogen Production
Mar 2025
Publication
With the global commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the number of hydrogen refueling stations is steadily increasing. On-site hydrogen production stations are expected to play a key role in future power systems by absorbing renewable energy and supplying electricity during peak grid loads aiding in peak shaving and load leveling. However renewable energy sources like photovoltaic (PV) systems have highly fluctuating power generation curves making it difficult to provide stable energy for hydrogen production. Traditional stations mainly use alkaline electrolyzers (AE) which are sensitive to power fluctuations leading to operational instability. To address this this paper proposes using capacitors and energy storage batteries to mitigate PV fluctuations and introduces a combined AE and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer hydrogen production method. Study cases demonstrate that capacitors and energy storage batteries reduce the variance of PV power output by approximately 0.02. Building on this the hybrid approach leverages the low cost of AE and the rapid response of PEM electrolyzers to better adapt to PV fluctuations and maximize PV absorption. The model is mathematically formulated and the station’s equipment planning and operational strategy are optimized using CPLEX. The results show that compared to pure AE and PEM hydrogen production the combined AE and PEM hydrogen production method reduces the total annual cost of the hydrogen refueling station by 4.3% and 5.9% respectively.
Hydrogen Gas Blending in Gasoline GDI Engines: Combustion Analysis and Emission Control
Jun 2025
Publication
This study investigates the effects of varying hydrogen percentages in fuel blends on combustion dynamics engine performance and emissions. Experimental data and analytical equations were used to evaluate combustion parameters such as equivalent lambda in-cylinder pressure heat release rate and ignition timing. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen blending enhances combustion stability shortens ignition delay and shifts peak heat release to be closer to the top dead center (TDC). These changes improve thermal efficiency and reduce cycle-to-cycle variation. Hydrogen blending also significantly lowers carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions particularly at higher blend levels (H0–H5) while lower blends increase nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and risk pre-ignition due to advanced start of combustion (SOC). Engine performance improved with an average hydrogen energy contribution of 12% under a constant load. However the optimal hydrogen blending range is crucial to balancing efficiency gains and emission reductions. These results underline the potential of hydrogen as a cleaner additive fuel and the importance of optimizing blend ratios to harness its benefits effectively.
Macroeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Two Decarbonization Options for the Dutch Steel Industry: Green Relocation Versus Green Hydrogen Imports
Jun 2025
Publication
Decarbonizing the steel industry will require a shift towards renewable energy. However costs and emissions associated with the long-distance transport of renewable energy carriers may incentivize the relocation of steel production closer to renewable energy sources. This “green relocation” would affect regional economic structures and global trade patterns. Nevertheless the macroeconomic and environmental impacts of alternative industry location options remain underexplored. This study compares the impacts on value-added prices and emissions under two options for decarbonizing the Dutch steel industry: importing green hydrogen from Brazil to produce green steel in the Netherlands versus relocating production to Brazil and transporting green steel to the Netherlands. Impacts are analyzed by combining a price and a quantity model within an environmentally extended multiregional input-output (EE-MRIO) framework. Results suggest that the relocation option brings the greatest synergies between climate and economic goals at the global level as it leads to lower production costs smaller price effects and greater emissions reductions. However relocation also results in stronger distributive impacts across global regions. Higher carbon prices would be insufficient to counteract relocation incentives. This calls for policymakers in industrialized countries to systematically consider the possibility of green relocation when designing decarbonization and industrial competitiveness strategies.
Feasibility Assessment and Response Surface Optimisation of a Fuel Cell-integrated Sustainable Wind Farm in Italy
Sep 2025
Publication
This study explores the design and feasibility of a novel fuel cell-powered wind farm for residential electricity hydrogen/oxygen production and cooling/heating via a compression chiller. Wind turbine energy powers Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and a compression chiller unit. The proposed system was modeled using EES thermodynamic software and its economic viability was assessed. A case study across seven Italian regions with varying wind potentials evaluated the system’s feasibility in diverse weather conditions. Multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) determined the number of wind turbines as optimum number of electrolyzers & fuel cell units. Optimization results indicated that 37 wind turbines 1 fuel cell unit and 2 electrolyzer units yielded an exergy efficiency of 27.98 % and a cost rate of 619.9 $/h. TOPSIS analysis suggested 32 wind turbines 2 electrolyzers and 2 reverse osmosis units as an alternative configuration. Further twelve different scenarios were examined to enhance the distribution of wind farmgenerated electricity among the grid electrolyzers and reverse osmosis systems. revealing that directing 25 % to reverse osmosis 20 % to electrolyzers and 55 % to grid sales was optimal. Performance analysis across seven Italian cities (Turin Bologna Florence Palermo Genoa Milan and Rome) identified Genoa Palermo and Bologna as the most suitable locations due to favorable wind conditions. Implementing the system in Genoa the optimal site could produce 28435 MWh of electricity annually prevent 5801 tons of CO2 emissions (equivalent to 139218 $). Moreover selling this clean electricity to the grid could meet the annual clean electricity needs of approximately 5770 people in Italy
Cooperative Control of Hydrogen-energy Storage Microgrid System Based on Disturbance-rejection Model Predictive Control
Mar 2025
Publication
Model predictive control (MPC) requires high accuracy of the model. However the actual power system has complex dynamic characteristics. There must be unmodeled dynamics in the system modeling process which makes it difficult for MPC to perform the function of optimal control. ESO has the ability to observe and suppress errors combining the both can solve this problem. Thus this paper proposes a coordinated control strategy of hydrogen-energy storage system based on disturbance-rejection model predictive controller. Firstly this paper constructs the state-space model of the system and improves MPC. By connecting ESO and MPC in series this paper designs a matched disturbance-rejection model predictive controller and analyzes the robustness of the research system. Finally this paper verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the disturbance-rejection model predictive controller under various working conditions. Compared with the method using only MPC the dynamic response time of the system frequency regulation under the proposed strategy in this paper is increased by about 29.9 % and the frequency drop rate is slowed down by 13.5 %. In addition under the AGC command and continuous load disturbance working conditions the maximum frequency deviation of the system under the proposed strategy is reduced by about 54.01 % and 48.96 %. The results clearly show that the proposed strategy in this paper significantly improves the dynamic response ability of the system and reduces the frequency fluctuation of the system after disturbance.
Real-Time Energy Management of a Microgrid Using MPC-DDQN-Controlled V2H and H2V Operations with Renewable Energy Integration
Aug 2025
Publication
This paper presents the design and implementation of an Intelligent Home Energy Management System in a smart home. The system is based on an economically decentralized hybrid concept that includes photovoltaic technology a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and a hydrogen refueling station which together provide a reliable secure and clean power supply for smart homes. The proposed design enables power transfer between Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Home-to-Vehicle (H2V) systems allowing electric vehicles to function as mobile energy storage devices at the grid level facilitating a more adaptable and autonomous network. Our approach employs Double Deep Q-networks for adaptive control and forecasting. A Multi-Agent System coordinates actions between home appliances energy storage systems electric vehicles and hydrogen power devices to ensure effective and cost-saving energy distribution for users of the smart grid. The design validation is carried out through MATLAB/Simulink-based simulations using meteorological data from Tunis. Ultimately the V2H/H2V system enhances the utilization reliability and cost-effectiveness of residential energy systems compared with other management systems and conventional networks.
Optimal Control of an Over-actuated Spark-Ignited Hydrogen Engine
Jun 2025
Publication
The spark-ignited (SI) hydrogen combustion engine has the potential to noticeably reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars. To prevent nitrogen oxide emissions and to increase fuel efficiency and power output complex air paths and operating strategies are utilized. This makes the engine control problem more complex challenging the conventional engine calibration process. This work combines and extends the state-of-the-art in real-time combustion engine modeling and optimal control presenting a novel control concept for the efficient operation of a hydrogen combustion engine. The extensive experimental validation with a 1.5 l three-cylinder hydrogen SI engine and a dynamically operated engine test bench with emission and in-cylinder pressure measurements provides a comprehensible comparison to conventional engine control. The results demonstrate that the proposed optimal control decreased the load tracking errors by a factor of up to 2.8 and increased the engine efficiency during lean operation by up to 10 percent while decreasing the calibration effort compared to conventional engine control.
A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Framework for Sustainability Assessment of Wind–Hydrogen Energy Projects: Method and Case Application
Oct 2025
Publication
This study develops a comprehensive framework for assessing the sustainability performance of wind power systems integrated with hydrogen storage (WPCHS). Unlike previous works that mainly emphasized economic or environmental indicators our approach incorporates a balanced set of economic environmental and social criteria supported by expert evaluation. To address the uncertainty in human judgment we introduce an interval-valued fuzzy TOPSIS model that provides a more realistic representation of expert assessments. A case study in Manjil Iran demonstrates the application of the model highlighting that project A4 outperforms other alternatives. The findings show that both economic factors (e.g. levelized cost of energy) and social aspects (e.g. poverty alleviation) strongly influence project rankings. Compared with earlier studies in Europe and the Middle East this work contributes by extending the evaluation scope beyond financial and environmental metrics to include social sustainability thereby enhancing decision-making relevance for policymakers and investors.
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