Optimization approach for the design of a sustainable hydrogen supply chain through steam methane reforming

Abstract

Hydrogen is emerging as a key energy carrier in the global transition to more sustainable energy systems. There are various technologies for its production, each with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency, costs, and environmental impact. More than 97% of the hydrogen produced globally is mainly obtained through steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas, which is the most widely used and cheapest method of production. Although the conventional SMR process is energy-intensive and results in significant carbon dioxide emissions, there are opportunities to enhance its sustainability by integrating Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies. However, a crucial factor for its large-scale deployment is the development of an efficient and sustainable hydrogen supply chain (HSC) design, where all processes along the chain are optimized while simultaneously satisfying environmental, economic, and social criteria. The present study proposes an optimization model for designing a HSC, focusing on the development of hydrogen refueling stations simultaneously considering all aspects of sustainability. It is formulated in terms of Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and includes the necessary parameters, decision variables, and environmental, economic, and social performance of the HSC, along with an objective function and constraints. The model is designed to be proved on a real case study on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with its 27 administrative regions.