Solar-hydrogen supply chain network design

Abstract

In this study a supply chain network for the solar-hydrogen energy generation is designed. The objective of the network design is accelerating the use of hydrogen as energy source by achieving a wider coverage of the supply chain to cover distant areas and versatile applications. A mixed integer nonlinear programming model is formulated with the objective of maximization of energy flow through the supply chain reaching the demand points of several applications. The model is formulated under production, storage, and transportation constraints, and is solved using optimization software. The solved problems provide validation of the model to effectively represent the solar-hydrogen supply chain. The resultant designed networks of different scenarios are efficient in fulfilling the objective of maximizing power delivered to demand points, including ones in distance areas. Distance demand points simulate rural areas that are usually deprived of energy provision due to complications of power supply. The study emphasizes the importance of robust supply chain network designs to increase the dependability and reliability of renewables and hydrogen storage to provide required power and energy by different communities.

Keywords

• Green hydrogen storage
• Green hydrogen transportation
• Renewable energy network optimization
• Solar-hydrogen supply chain
• Supply chain network design

References

1. [1] Kutani, S., I., Ikeda, O., & Chihiro, R. Demand and supply potential of hydrogen energy in East Asia – Phase 2. ERIA Research Project Report FY2020 No. 16, Jakarta, ERIA, 2020.
2. [2] Green Hydrogen Geostorage in Aotearoa - New Zealand, 2021 Elemental Group Ltd.
3. [3] Hydrogen: A renewable energy perspective, International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, 2019, Abu Dhabi.
4. [4] Kelman, R., Gaspar, L. S., Geyer, F. S., Barroso, L. A. N., & Pereira, M. V. F. 9. Can Brazil Become a Green Hydrogen Powerhouse? Journal of Power and Energy Engineering 2020, 8, 21-32.
5. [5] Narula K. Energy Supply Chains and the Maritime Domain. In: The Maritime Dimension of Sustainable Energy Security. Lecture Notes in Energy, 2019, 68. Springer, Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-1589-3_3
6. [6] Niesseron, C., Glardon, R., Zufferey, N., & Jafari, M. A. 5. Energy efficiency optimisation in supply chain networks: impact of inventory management. International Journal of Supply Chain and Inventory Management, 2020, 3(2), 93-123.
7. [7] Mahs, A., X., Y., Ho, W., S., Hassim, M. H., Liew, P., Asli, U., A., Muis, Z., A., & Ling, G., H., T. Optimization of Hydrogen Supply Chain: A Case Study in Malaysia. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 2020, 78.
8. [8] Frankowska, M., & Rzeczycki, A. Hydrogen Supply Chains – New Perspective for Stabilizing Power Grid. International Journal of Latest Research in Engineering and Technology, 2020, 6(10), 1-7.

9. [9] Kazi, M., Eljack, F., El-Halwagi, M., M., & Haouari, M. Green hydrogen for industrial sector decarbonization: Costs and impacts on hydrogen economy in qatar. Computers and Chemical Engineering, 2021, 145, 107144.
10. [10] Rodriguez, J., Puzenat, E., & Thivel, P. X. From solar photocatalysis to fuel-cell: A hydrogen supply chain. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2016, 4, 3001-3005.
11. [11] Gondal, I., A., Masood, S., A., & Khan, R. Green hydrogen production potential for developing a hydrogen economy in Pakistan. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43(12), 6011-6039.
12. [12] Koirala, B., Hers, S., Morales-Espana, G., Ozdemir, O., Sijm, J., & Weeda, M. Integrated electricity, hydrogen and methane system modelling framework: Application to the Dutch Infrastructure Outlook 2050. Applied Energy 289, 2021, 116713.
13. [13] Chandel, M., Agrawal, G., D., Mathur, S., & Mathur, A. 5. Techno-economic analysis of solar photovoltaic power plant for garment zone of Jaipur city. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 2014, 2, 1-7.
14. [14] Javid, Z., Li, K., Hassan, R. L., & Chen, J. Hybrid-microgrid planning, sizing and optimization for an industrial demand in Pakistan. Tehnički Vjesnik, 2020, 27(3), 781-792. doi: 10.17559/TV-20181219042529
15. [15] Liu, H., & Ma, J. A review of models and methods for hydrogen supply chain system planning. CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems, 2020. doi: 10.17775/CSEEJPES.2020.02280
16. [16] Atilhan, S., Park, S., El-Halwagi, M., M., Atilhan, M., Moore, M., & Nielsen, R., B. Green hydrogen as an alternative fuel for the shipping industry. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 2021, 32, 100668. doi: 10.1016/j.coche.2020.100668.
17. [17] Al-Ablani, B., A., Mekky, M., M., & Al-Ghimlas, N. A. Renewable energy supply chain expansion decisions making using AHP. The Journal of Engineering Research, 2021.
18. [18] FeiXie. Modeling sustainability in renewable energy supply chain systems. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, 2014, Clemson University.
19. [19] 1. Renewable Energy Integration in Power Grids, Technology Brief of The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and The Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (ETSAP), 2015.
20. [20] Gondal, I., A. Offshore Renewable energy resources and their potential in a green Hydrogen supply chain through power-to-gas. Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2019.
21. [21] How hydrogen empowers the energy transition, Hydrogen Council January 2017.
22. [22] Report on electrical power generation from renewable energy in State of Kuwait, Kuwait foundation for the advancement of sciences, 2010.
23. [23] Fahmy, S., A., Mohamed, M., M., & Abdelmaguid, T., F. Multi-layer dynamic facility location-allocation in supply chain network design with inventory, and CODP positioning decisions. The 9th International Conference on Informatics and Systems-Operations Research and Decision Support Track (INFOS2014), 2014, 15-17.
24. [24] Marwa, M., M. Multi-layer dynamic facility location allocation in supply chain network design with inventory, and CODP positioning decisions. Master of Science Thesis, 2016, Cairo University.
25. [25] Enapter datasheet, electrolyser EL 2.1.
26. [26] Pv Magazine. 2021. German steel giant wants to set up 500 MW green hydrogen plant. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/02/26/german-steel-giant-wants-to-set-up-500-mw-green-hydrogen-plant. Accessed: 14.6.2021.
27. [27] Benban Solar Park. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benban_Solar_Park. Accessed: 14.6.2021.
28. [28] Hydrogen Delivery Technical Team Roadmap, The U.S. DRIVE Partnership 2013.
29. [29] Amos, W., A. Costs of Storing and Transporting Hydrogen. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1998, NREL/TP-570-25106.
30. [30] Fletcher, T., & Ebrahimi, K. The Effect of Fuel Cell and Battery Size on Efficiency and Cell Lifetime for an L7e Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle. Energies, 2020, 13(12). doi: 10.3390/en13225889.
31. [31] Wellnitz, J., & Marzbani, H. Comparison of Hydrogen Power trains with the Battery Powered Electric Vehicle and Investigation of Small-Scale Local Hydrogen Production Using Renewable Energy. Hydrogen, 2021, 76-100. doi: 10.3390/hydrogen2010005.