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Parametric study for cost optimization of hydrogen pipelines in time varying conditions

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  • Jottrand, Samuel
  • Hendrick, Patrick

Abstract

Infrastructure is a key element of the development of a sustainable hydrogen value chain. In this scope, hydrogen pipelines are a cornerstone of the transport and storage in this new hydrogen economy. As green hydrogen production coming from electrolysis is powered by renewable electricity, it is expected that the curves of supply of hydrogen to the pipelines will be time dependent in the future. This study presents a model of pressure losses computation in hydrogen pipelines for time variant supply functions. A parametric study is performed on the diameter, the capacity, the roughness and the composition of the gas. In addition, a study of the cost is performed considering both the CAPEX and OPEX of the pipeline. Results show that the economical feasibility of the pipeline mainly depends on the power capacity at which the pipeline is operated. For 48 inch pipelines, the operational range targeted should be between 4 and 10 GW. For smaller size pipelines with a diameter of 36 inch, the target capacity should be between 2 and 5 GW. The difference between repurposed pipelines and new hydrogen pipelines is inspected in terms of roughness difference, and pressure losses are computed for the two cases. Randomized curves of hydrogen supply both for daily supply and annual supply are implemented, and the model is operated on these time variant supply curves. This shows the uncertainty of the operational costs of the pipeline and also the pressure variation inside the pipeline due to the ”line pack” effect. A case study shows the optimization of the choice of the number of compression station present on a 600 km long pipeline section depending on the pipe roughness and the pipeline inlet pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Jottrand, Samuel & Hendrick, Patrick, 2025. "Parametric study for cost optimization of hydrogen pipelines in time varying conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:337:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225042501
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138608
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    References listed on IDEAS

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