Evaluation of the large-scale hydrogen supply chain and perspectives on LH2 regasification cogeneration systems
Jimena Incer-Valverde, Claudia Lugo-Mayor, George Tsatsaronis, Tatiana Morosuk
Abstract
Many countries have launched National Hydrogen Plans and expect to switch to a decarbonized economy within the next decades. Hydrogen transportation is one of the main challenges of the hydrogen economy. One option is to transport hydrogen in liquid form from countries with abundant renewable energy to the rest of the world. The liquefied hydrogen (LH2) chain requires cryogenic temperatures (−253 °C) with corresponding insulation tanks, pumps, and other equipment. Once the hydrogen reaches an import terminal, it needs to be regasified before distribution and usage. Not only hydrogen liquefaction but also the regasification of LH2 is associated with very high energy use. This paper uses an analogy with the liquefied natural gas transportation chain to develop ideas for large-scale regasification of LH2 and evaluates gas-turbine-based cogeneration systems for LH2 regasification. Six systems were evaluated; the overall energy efficiency is calculated in the range of 53.8–59.8% (LHV) and 49.8–52.2% (HHV). The exergetic efficiency varied between 55.1 and 62.4%.