Large scale Hydrogen transport - Techno economic assessment of different pathways

Abstract

One of the major challenges regarding the transition from a fossil based energy supply towards a renewable and sustainable energy supply is the discrepancy where renewable energy is available and where it is needed. The hydrogen society concept promises its entire decarbonization, if the hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity and if the application (industry, transport, heat, etc.) can be transferred into hydrogen based usage. With hydrogen, a local and temporal decoupling of energy production and utilization can be enabled, if large scale hydrogen transport from renewable energy location to its point of usage can be established. In this study, a techno economic assessment of three different large scale hydrogen transport pathways is conducted. In the exemplary business case Japan is supplied with hydrogen from Australia. Japan follows a strategic energy plan and is promoting a policy towards renewable and sustainable energy. Australia has a high potential for wind and solar energy so that hydrogen can be generated with renewable electricity. The different hydrogen transport pathways are Transport of hydrogen in its liquefied state Transport of hydrogen via the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system Toluene/Methyl cyclohexane