Hydrogen Technologies: A Critical Review and Feasibility Study

Abstract

Nowadays, one of the most important areas in refining the energy sector in the developed countries is the transition to environmentally friendly technologies, and hydrogen energy production is the most promising of them. In this rapidly advancing area, significant progress in creating new technologies for hydrogen fuel generation, transportation, storage, and consumption has been recently observed, while a fast-growing number of research papers and implemented commercial projects related to hydrogen makes it necessary to give their general review. In particular, the combination of the latest achievements in this area is of particular interest with a view to analyzing the possibility of creating hydrogen fuel supply chains. This paper presents an analytical review of existing methods of hydrogen production, storage, and transportation, including their key economic and energy-related characteristics, and proposes an approach to the creation, analysis, and optimization of hydrogen supply chains. A mathematical model has been developed to determine the cost of hydrogen, taking into account the supply chain, including production, transport and storage. Based on the results of modeling in the given scenario conditions for 2030, 2040 and 2050, promising hydrogen supply chains have been established. Under the various scenario conditions, hydrogen production by 2050 is most preferable by the method of steam conversion of methane with a cost of 8.85 USD/kg H2. However, due to the environmental effect, electrolysis also remains a promising technology with a cost of hydrogen produced of 17.84 USD/kg.