Techno-economic analysis of the hydrogen supply chain
R&D Focus Areas:
Energy systems integration, Techno-economic evaluation, Supply chain integration
Lead Organisation:
Australian National University
Partners:
Range of collaborators from organisations in Australia and Germany
Status:
Active
Start date:
February 2019
Completion date:
Ongoing
Key contacts:
Dr. Reza Fazeli: Reza.Fazeli@anu.edu.au
Dr. Thomas Longden: Thomas.longden@anu.edu.au
Dr. Fiona J. Beck: Fiona.Beck@anu.edu.au
Associate Professor Matt Stocks: Matthew.stocks@anu.edu.au
Professor Frank Jotzo: Frank.jotzo@anu.edu.au
Dr. Mousami Prasad: mousami.prasad@anu.edu.au
Funding:
Part of the ANU $10 million 2019-2023 Grand Challenge Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific
Project total cost:
Part of the ANU $10 million 2019-2023 Grand Challenge Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific
Project summary description:
Hydrogen has a key role in helping the world reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and decarbonising sectors that cannot be electrified. Complementing other technologies (like renewable power, biofuels, or energy efficiency improvements), hydrogen offers a long-term and scalable option for decarbonization in sectors such as steel, maritime, and aviation. But the development of a renewable hydrogen is itself still at a very early stage.
The project focuses on techno-economic analysis of renewable hydrogen supply chains based on the levelized cost of hydrogen production and life cycle emissions.
Using multiple types of modelling, this project aims to develop research and tools that explore the dynamics of the transition to renewable hydrogen based on the interactions between the demand, supply and the market price of hydrogen.
Amongst other topics, this project has been focused on the following research topics:
- Understanding the role of uncertainty in projections of techno-economic factors on the transition from hydrogen produced from fossil fuels to renewable hydrogen.
- Explore the likelihood of the early retirement of SMR with CCS plants as a result of rapid development of green hydrogen supply and different carbon prices.
- Comparing the emissions and costs of fossil fuel versus renewable electricity-based hydrogen.
- Green hydrogen production costs in Australia: implications of renewable energy and electrolyser costs.
Related publications and key links:
Thomas Longden, Fiona J. Beck, Frank Jotzo, Richard Andrews, Mousami Prasad, (2022), ‘Clean’ hydrogen? – Comparing the emissions and costs of fossil fuel versus renewable electricity-based hydrogen, Applied Energy, Volume 306, Part B, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118145.
Fazeli R, Beck F and Stocks M, (2021), Recognizing the role of uncertainties in the transition to renewable hydrogen, Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific ZCEAP Working Paper ZCWP03-21, The Australian National University https://www.anu.edu.au/research/research-initiatives/zero-carbon-energy-for-the-asia-pacific/research-outputs/grand.
Fazeli R, Beck F and Stocks M, (2021), Dynamics of the transition to renewable hydrogen, Proceeding of 2021 International System Dynamics Conference, https://proceedings.systemdynamics.org/2021/papers/P1189.pdf .
Longden T., Jotzo F., Prasad M. and Andrews, R. (2020), Green hydrogen production costs in Australia: implications of renewable energy and electrolyser costs, CCEP Working Paper 20-07, August 2020. Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University https://ccep.crawford.anu.edu.au/publication/ccep-working-paper/17458/green-hydrogen-production-costs-australia-implications.
Higher degree studies supported:
Not applicable
Reviewed: August 2023