Superstructure Optimization of International Hydrogen Supply Chain with Technological Options

Abstract

In the pursuit of reducing carbon emissions, the integration of renewable energy into society's energy portfolio plays a crucial role despite challenges tied to their inherent unpredictability and seasonal variations. Hydrogen, as a mean of storing and transporting renewable energy becomes crucial in addressing these challenges. Notwithstanding its potential, the misalignment of cost-competitive hydrogen production hubs with demand centers calls for a thorough examination of global hydrogen distribution. The versatility of hydrogen transportation (e.g., pipelines, ships, trucks) and various forms like compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) adds complexity to designing an economically efficient hydrogen supply chain (HSC). Addressing previous scholarly limitations focused on existing technologies, this study advocates for a superstructure-based modeling approach for HSC that includes promising technologies. Through a case study involving a production site in the Middle East and a demand site in Texas, a dedicated HSC superstructure network is formulated, facilitating the identification of cost-effective hydrogen supply pathways using Mixed Integer Linear Programming Ultimately, this effort aims to establish a comprehensive framework to discern the most sustainable and financially viable technologies, identifying the optimal configuration within the HSC. Copyright (c) 2024 The Authors.