Optimization of Renewable Energy Supply Chain for Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Production from Plastic Waste

Abstract

Disposing of plastic waste through burial or burning leads to air pollution issues while also contributing to gas emissions and plastic waste spreading underground into seas via springs. Henceforth, this research aims at reducing plastic waste volume while simultaneously generating clean energy. Hydrogen energy is a promising fuel source that holds great value for humanity. However, achieving clean hydrogen energy poses challenges, including high costs and complex production processes, especially on a national scale. This research focuses on Iran as a country capable of producing this energy, examining the production process along with related challenges and the general supply chain. These challenges encompass selecting appropriate raw materials based on chosen technologies, factory capacities, storage methods, and transportation flow among different provinces of the country. To deal with these challenges, a mixed-integer linear programming model is developed to optimize the hydrogen supply chain and make optimal decisions about the mentioned problems. The supply chain model estimates an average cost—IRR 4 million (approximately USD 8)—per kilogram of hydrogen energy that is available in syngas during the initial period; however, subsequent periods may see costs decrease to IRR 1 million (approximately USD 2), factoring in return-on-investment rates.