IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v392y2025ics0306261925006129.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Off-grid green hydrogen production and liquefaction system driven by renewable energy and LNG cold energy: A comprehensive 4E analysis and optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Manfeng
  • Yang, Juncheng
  • Mehrpooya, Mehdi
  • Guo, Zhanjun
  • He, Tianbiao

Abstract

To address the growing demand for sustainable hydrogen production and reduce the carbon footprint of hydrogen liquefaction, an off-grid system integrating renewable energy, liquefied natural gas cold energy and organic Rankine cycle is proposed. The renewable energy generation and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer hydrogen production processes are modeled in TRNSYS, while the hydrogen liquefaction and the organic Rankine cycle are simulated using ASPEN HYSYS. The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to optimize the hydrogen liquefaction process by evaluating various configurations based on energy efficiency, environmental impact, exergy efficiency, and economic feasibility. The optimization results show that the system achieves a reduction in specific energy consumption from 7.948 kWh/kgLH2 to 6.937 kWh/kgLH2. Within the 4E analytical framework, Case 10 achieves the highest energy efficiency at 23.55 %, whereas Case 1 demonstrates the most significant pollutant reduction, decreasing emissions by 2.901 % relative to the reference system. Case 11 exhibits the best exergy efficiency at 26.61 %, while Case 8 optimizes economic viability with the lowest initial investment, featuring a dynamic payback period of 3.56 years and a levelized hydrogen production cost of 1.1 $/kgLH2. From a dual-criterion perspective, Case 8 outperforms others in life cycle cost and emission reduction performance, while Case 10 maintains superior energy and exergy efficiency. Significantly, Case 5 emerges as the Pareto-optimal solution under equally weighted multi-criteria evaluation, balancing all performance indices with minimal trade-off compromise. This integrated system provides a promising solution for utilizing offshore renewable energy in hydrogen production, offering a low-emission and sustainable fuel pathway.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Manfeng & Yang, Juncheng & Mehrpooya, Mehdi & Guo, Zhanjun & He, Tianbiao, 2025. "Off-grid green hydrogen production and liquefaction system driven by renewable energy and LNG cold energy: A comprehensive 4E analysis and optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 392(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:392:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925006129
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125882
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925006129
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125882?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Teng, Junjie & Wang, Kai & Zhu, Shaolong & Bao, Shiran & Zhi, Xiaoqin & Zhang, Xiaobin & Qiu, Limin, 2023. "Comparative study on thermodynamic performance of hydrogen liquefaction processes with various ortho-para hydrogen conversion methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    2. Zhang, Rui & Cao, Xuewen & Zhang, Xingwang & Yang, Jian & Bian, Jiang, 2024. "Co-benefits of the liquid hydrogen economy and LNG economy: Advances in LNG integrating LH2 production processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    3. Bi, Yujing & Ju, Yonglin, 2022. "Design and analysis of an efficient hydrogen liquefaction process based on helium reverse Brayton cycle integrating with steam methane reforming and liquefied natural gas cold energy utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    4. Xu, Jingxuan & Song, Zekai & Chen, Xi & Yang, Qiguo, 2024. "Design and optimization of high-density cryogenic supercritical hydrogen storage systems integrating with dual mixed refrigerant cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    5. Ghorbani, Bahram & Zendehboudi, Sohrab & Moradi, Mostafa, 2021. "Development of an integrated structure of hydrogen and oxygen liquefaction cycle using wind turbines, Kalina power generation cycle, and electrolyzer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    6. Li, Jinying & Li, Sisi & Wu, Fan, 2020. "Research on carbon emission reduction benefit of wind power project based on life cycle assessment theory," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 456-468.
    7. Hassan, Qusay, 2021. "Evaluation and optimization of off-grid and on-grid photovoltaic power system for typical household electrification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 375-390.
    8. Liu, Xianglong & Hu, Guang & Zeng, Zhi, 2023. "Performance characterization and multi-objective optimization of integrating a biomass-fueled brayton cycle, a kalina cycle, and an organic rankine cycle with a claude hydrogen liquefaction cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PB).
    9. Cox, Jordan & Belding, Scott & Lowder, Travis, 2022. "Application of a novel heat pump model for estimating economic viability and barriers of heat pumps in dairy applications in the United States," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    10. Sheha, Moataz & Mohammadi, Kasra & Powell, Kody, 2021. "Techno-economic analysis of the impact of dynamic electricity prices on solar penetration in a smart grid environment with distributed energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    11. Lykas, Panagiotis & Georgousis, Nikolaos & Bellos, Evangelos & Tzivanidis, Christos, 2022. "Investigation and optimization of a CO2-based polygeneration unit for supermarkets," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    12. Liu, Huanan & Tang, Lanfa & Dou, Zhenlan & Wang, Songcen & Yu, Dongmin, 2025. "Optimizing integrated hydrogen liquefaction with LNG cold energy: A thermoeconomic assessment, comparative analysis, and feasibility study with emphasis on composite curves and uncertainty scrutiny," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    13. Das, Mainak & Reddy, K.S., 2025. "Modelling and optimization of combined supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle and organic Rankine cycle for electricity and hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PC).
    14. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Wang, Qiushi & Liu, Luyao, 2023. "Multi-criteria performance analysis and optimization of a solar-driven CCHP system based on PEMWE, SOFC, TES, and novel PVT for hotel and office buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1249-1264.
    15. Bian, Jiang & Zhang, Xingwang & Zhang, Rui & Cai, Weihua & Hua, Yihuai & Cao, Xuewen, 2024. "Conceptual design and analysis of a new hydrogen liquefaction process based on heat pump systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    16. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi & Bischi, Aldo & Desideri, Umberto, 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based multi-generation system coupled parabolic trough photovoltaic thermal collector and thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    17. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi, 2023. "Comprehensive sustainability assessment of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based combined cooling, heating, power, and storage (CCHPS) system based on life cycle method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    18. Mazzoni, Stefano & Sze, Jia Yin & Nastasi, Benedetto & Ooi, Sean & Desideri, Umberto & Romagnoli, Alessandro, 2021. "A techno-economic assessment on the adoption of latent heat thermal energy storage systems for district cooling optimal dispatch & operations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    19. Zheng, Nan & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhou, Yufei & Sun, Mingjia & Desideri, Umberto, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-based polygeneration system integrated with vanadium redox flow battery and thermal energy storage considering robust source-load response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PB).
    20. Lee, Young Duk & Ahn, Kook Young & Morosuk, Tatiana & Tsatsaronis, George, 2015. "Environmental impact assessment of a solid-oxide fuel-cell-based combined-heat-and-power-generation system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 455-466.
    21. Jing, You-Yin & Bai, He & Wang, Jiang-Jiang & Liu, Lei, 2012. "Life cycle assessment of a solar combined cooling heating and power system in different operation strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 843-853.
    22. Bareiß, Kay & de la Rua, Cristina & Möckl, Maximilian & Hamacher, Thomas, 2019. "Life cycle assessment of hydrogen from proton exchange membrane water electrolysis in future energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 862-872.
    23. Yang, G. & Zhai, X.Q., 2019. "Optimal design and performance analysis of solar hybrid CCHP system considering influence of building type and climate condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 647-663.
    24. Geng, Jinliang & Sun, Heng, 2023. "Optimization and analysis of a hydrogen liquefaction process: Energy, exergy, economic, and uncertainty quantification analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PA).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zheng, Nan & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhou, Yufei & Sun, Mingjia & Desideri, Umberto, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-based polygeneration system integrated with vanadium redox flow battery and thermal energy storage considering robust source-load response," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PB).
    2. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi, 2023. "Comprehensive sustainability assessment of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based combined cooling, heating, power, and storage (CCHPS) system based on life cycle method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    3. Yamin, Zhang & El-Shafay, A.S. & Saraswat, Manish & Mahariq, Ibrahim & Alhomayani, Fahad Mohammed & Rajab, Husam & Almojil, Sattam Fahad & Almohana, Abdulaziz Ibrahim & Sillanpää, Mika, 2024. "Integrating solar-powered branched GAX cycle and claude cycle for producing liquid hydrogen: Comprehensive study using real data and optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    4. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi & Bischi, Aldo & Desideri, Umberto, 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel solar-driven PEMEC-SOFC-based multi-generation system coupled parabolic trough photovoltaic thermal collector and thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    5. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Wang, Qiushi & Liu, Luyao, 2023. "Multi-criteria performance analysis and optimization of a solar-driven CCHP system based on PEMWE, SOFC, TES, and novel PVT for hotel and office buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1249-1264.
    6. Zheng, Nan & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Desideri, Umberto, 2025. "Proactive energy storage operation strategy and optimization of a solar polystorage and polygeneration system based on day-ahead load forecasting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).
    7. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Hanfei & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Xiaomeng & Liu, Luyao, 2022. "Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analysis and optimization of a novel partially covered parabolic trough photovoltaic thermal collector based on life cycle method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1573-1588.
    8. Wang, Changshun & Jiang, Wenquan & Yang, Fan & Qiao, Yan & Gao, Yue & Lv, Yingying, 2025. "Optimization and Analysis of integrated hydrogen production and liquefaction system combining LNG and CO2 Regeneration Rankine Cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    9. Chen, Shuhang & Qiu, Changxu & Shen, Yunwei & Tao, Xuan & Gan, Zhihua, 2024. "Thermodynamic and economic analysis of new coupling processes with large-scale hydrogen liquefaction process and liquid air energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    10. Bian, Jiang & Zhang, Xingwang & Zhang, Rui & Cai, Weihua & Hua, Yihuai & Cao, Xuewen, 2024. "Conceptual design and analysis of a new hydrogen liquefaction process based on heat pump systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    11. Zheng, Nan & Zhang, Qiang & Ren, Yunxiu & Duan, Liqiang & Wang, Qiushi & Ding, Xingqi & Zhou, Yufei & Wang, Xiaomeng & Liu, Luyao & Sun, Mingjia & Jiao, Weijia, 2025. "Thermodynamic analysis of a novel SOFC-based CCHP system integrated supercritical carbon dioxide and organic Rankine cycles for waste heat cascade utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    12. Zhang, Rui & Cao, Xuewen & Zhang, Xingwang & Yang, Jian & Bian, Jiang, 2024. "Co-benefits of the liquid hydrogen economy and LNG economy: Advances in LNG integrating LH2 production processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    13. Fang, Song & Zhu, Shaolong & Wei, Xinyu & Teng, Junjie & Cao, Shaoyu & Wang, Kai & Qiu, Limin, 2024. "Dimensionless performance mapping of cryogenic plate-fin heat exchangers with ortho-para hydrogen continuous conversion for hydrogen liquefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    14. Cao, Qiang & Chen, Yuji & Wang, Zhiping & Wang, Miaomiao & Wang, Pengcheng & Ge, Lichun & Li, Peng & Zhao, Qinyu & Wang, Bo & Gan, Zhihua, 2025. "Improving the cooling efficiency of cryo-compressed hydrogen based on the temperature-distributed method in regenerative refrigerators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    15. Ren, Xin-Yu & Li, Ling-Ling & Ji, Bing-Xiang & Liu, Jia-Qi, 2024. "Design and analysis of solar hybrid combined cooling, heating and power system: A bi-level optimization model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    16. Qiao, Yan & Jiang, Wenquan & Li, Yang & Dong, Xiaoxiao & Yang, Fan, 2024. "Design and analysis of steam methane reforming hydrogen liquefaction and waste heat recovery system based on liquefied natural gas cold energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    17. Ge, Yongkai & Ma, Yue & Wang, Qingrui & Yang, Qing & Xing, Lu & Ba, Shusong, 2023. "Techno-economic-environmental assessment and performance comparison of a building distributed multi-energy system under various operation strategies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 685-696.
    18. You, Huailiang & Zhou, Xianqi & Chen, Daifen & Xiao, Yan & Hu, Bin & Li, Guoxiang & Han, Jitian & Lysyakov, Anatoly, 2025. "Techno-economic assessment of a novel combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system driven by solid oxide fuel cell and solar thermal utilization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    19. Teng, Junjie & Wang, Kai & Zhu, Shaolong & Bao, Shiran & Zhi, Xiaoqin & Zhang, Xiaobin & Qiu, Limin, 2023. "Comparative study on thermodynamic performance of hydrogen liquefaction processes with various ortho-para hydrogen conversion methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    20. Chen, Yuzhu & Wang, Jiangjiang & Ma, Chaofan & Gao, Yuefen, 2019. "Thermo-ecological cost assessment and optimization for a hybrid combined cooling, heating and power system coupled with compound parabolic concentrated-photovoltaic thermal solar collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 479-492.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:392:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925006129. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.