Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs)
Abstract Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are key to long-term decarbonisation strategies. However, their widespread adoption hinges on the availability of hydrogen refuelling stations and the ability to lower the at-the-pump price of hydrogen. This study conducts a detailed techno-economic analy...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91649-x |
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| author | Mradul Dhakar Mengyu Wang Ahmad Rafiee Yun Liu Igor Skryabin Kaveh Khalilpour |
| author_facet | Mradul Dhakar Mengyu Wang Ahmad Rafiee Yun Liu Igor Skryabin Kaveh Khalilpour |
| author_sort | Mradul Dhakar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are key to long-term decarbonisation strategies. However, their widespread adoption hinges on the availability of hydrogen refuelling stations and the ability to lower the at-the-pump price of hydrogen. This study conducts a detailed techno-economic analysis of a hydrogen refuelling station that features on-site production via water electrolysis, storage, and dispensing infrastructure. Using a least-cost optimisation model, the total annualised cost (TAC) is minimised while meeting mass and heat flow constraints. The system is fully electrified, relying entirely on electricity for all processes, including heating for the liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) system. The analysis explores three scenarios: variations in electricity sources, differences in renewable energy pricing, and the integration of various LOHCs. Results demonstrate that a grid-connected hydrogen refuelling system employing LOHCs provides a competitive production cost and a higher capacity factor. Intermittency impacts system design, increasing capital costs to ensure optimal sizing. Among LOHCs, N-ethylcarbazole is identified as particularly effective, offering resilience and efficiency under variable conditions. Applying this model in Canberra, Australia, the system achieves hydrogen dispensation costs of under A$8/kgH2, showcasing its potential for scalable, cost-effective hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b3572b94e4e40e3abfa96b9a2863370 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-1b3572b94e4e40e3abfa96b9a28633702025-08-20T02:49:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115113110.1038/s41598-025-91649-xSustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs)Mradul Dhakar0Mengyu Wang1Ahmad Rafiee2Yun Liu3Igor Skryabin4Kaveh Khalilpour5ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, Australian National UniversityFaculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology SydneyDepartment of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, University of GalwayResearch School of Chemistry, Australian National UniversityANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, Australian National UniversityFaculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology SydneyAbstract Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are key to long-term decarbonisation strategies. However, their widespread adoption hinges on the availability of hydrogen refuelling stations and the ability to lower the at-the-pump price of hydrogen. This study conducts a detailed techno-economic analysis of a hydrogen refuelling station that features on-site production via water electrolysis, storage, and dispensing infrastructure. Using a least-cost optimisation model, the total annualised cost (TAC) is minimised while meeting mass and heat flow constraints. The system is fully electrified, relying entirely on electricity for all processes, including heating for the liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) system. The analysis explores three scenarios: variations in electricity sources, differences in renewable energy pricing, and the integration of various LOHCs. Results demonstrate that a grid-connected hydrogen refuelling system employing LOHCs provides a competitive production cost and a higher capacity factor. Intermittency impacts system design, increasing capital costs to ensure optimal sizing. Among LOHCs, N-ethylcarbazole is identified as particularly effective, offering resilience and efficiency under variable conditions. Applying this model in Canberra, Australia, the system achieves hydrogen dispensation costs of under A$8/kgH2, showcasing its potential for scalable, cost-effective hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91649-xSustainable mobilityHydrogen refuelling stationLiquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC)Green hydrogen productionTechno-economic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Mradul Dhakar Mengyu Wang Ahmad Rafiee Yun Liu Igor Skryabin Kaveh Khalilpour Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) Scientific Reports Sustainable mobility Hydrogen refuelling station Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) Green hydrogen production Techno-economic analysis |
| title | Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) |
| title_full | Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) |
| title_short | Sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen: a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) |
| title_sort | sustainable mobility with renewable hydrogen a framework for refueling station design and optimisation using liquid organic hydrogen carriers lohcs |
| topic | Sustainable mobility Hydrogen refuelling station Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) Green hydrogen production Techno-economic analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91649-x |
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