An Integrated Modelling and Optimization Approach for Hydrogen Energy Network

Issues related to global warming have moved hydrogen into the spotlight as a promising energy carrier. As hydrogen is considered as a promising energy carrier from concerns driven by global warming, the goal of this work was a development and optimization of an integrated modelling and optimization of hydrogen energy network for Texas. To achieve such goal, the hydrogen energy network formulation based on Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) was performed. In the hydrogen energy network, five raw materials and three electricity potential sources were introduced, and they highly affected on the technology availability when they are depleted. Hydrogen was produced from technologies such as SMR, coal and biomass gasification, and alkaline/PEM/solid oxide electrolysis. The produced hydrogen was compressed or liquefied to be ready for use. The produced hydrogen was sold at $5/kg, and could be transported from one region to other through tube trailers, tanker trucks, tube railcars, and tank railcars to maximize the profit and meet hydrogen demand. Lastly, some possible scenarios were tested such as discounting electricity price scenarios and limiting raw material availability. When electricity price was reduced, there were technology transitions from SMR to the electrolysis at some geographical regions. Additionally, the electricity price discount triggered an increase in hydrogen autonomy of each geographical region as it decreased the amount of hydrogen transported. When the fossil fuel based raw material availability was gradually reduced over time period according to Horizon 2020, there were increased raw material transportations as the raw materials depleted faster in some geographical regions at certain time periods. The combined scenarios regarding both electricity price and raw material limitation were also tested, and it showed the competence of two technologies, biomass gasification and solid oxide electrolysis, as both required natural gas which was limited