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Low Carbon Scenario Analysis of a Hydrogen-Based Energy Transition for On-Road Transportation in California

Author

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  • Vishnu Vijayakumar

    (Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Alan Jenn

    (Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Lewis Fulton

    (Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

Abstract

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are emerging as one of the prominent zero emission vehicle technologies. This study follows a deterministic modeling approach to project two scenarios of FCEV adoption and the resulting hydrogen demand (low and high) up to 2050 in California, using a transportation transition model. The study then estimates the number of hydrogen production and refueling facilities required to meet demand. The impact of system scale-up and learning rates on hydrogen price is evaluated using standalone supply chain models: H2A, HDSAM, HRSAM and HDRSAM. A sensitivity analysis explores key factors that affect hydrogen prices. In the high scenario, light and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicle stocks reach 12.5 million and 1 million by 2050, respectively. The resulting annual hydrogen demand is 3.9 billion kg, making hydrogen the dominant transportation fuel. Satisfying such high future demands will require rapid increases in infrastructure investments starting now, but especially after 2030 when there is an exponential increase in the number of production plants and refueling stations. In the long term, electrolytic hydrogen delivered using dedicated hydrogen pipelines to larger stations offers substantial cost savings. Feedstock prices, size of the hydrogen market and station utilization are the prominent parameters that affect hydrogen price.

Suggested Citation

  • Vishnu Vijayakumar & Alan Jenn & Lewis Fulton, 2021. "Low Carbon Scenario Analysis of a Hydrogen-Based Energy Transition for On-Road Transportation in California," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:21:p:7163-:d:670054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bigestans, Davis & Cardin, Michel-Alexandre & Kazantzis, Nikolaos, 2023. "Economic performance evaluation of flexible centralised and decentralised blue hydrogen production systems design under uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    2. José A. Ventura, 2023. "Climate Benefits Advocated by the Development of Sustainable Vehicles and Charging Infrastructures in the Transport Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-5, April.
    3. Hardman, Scott PhD & Davis, Adam PhD & Tal, Gil PhD, 2022. "Investigating Hydrogen Station Use and Station Access in California Using a Survey of Fuel Cell Vehicle Drivers," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt4qp5m2kr, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Nithin Isaac & Akshay K. Saha, 2023. "A Review of the Optimization Strategies and Methods Used to Locate Hydrogen Fuel Refueling Stations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Santanu Kumar Dash & Suprava Chakraborty & Michele Roccotelli & Umesh Kumar Sahu, 2022. "Hydrogen Fuel for Future Mobility: Challenges and Future Aspects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Mariano Gallo & Mario Marinelli, 2022. "The Impact of Fuel Cell Electric Freight Vehicles on Fuel Consumption and CO 2 Emissions: The Case of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Mariano Gallo & Mario Marinelli, 2023. "The Use of Hydrogen for Traction in Freight Transport: Estimating the Reduction in Fuel Consumption and Emissions in a Regional Context," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, January.

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