Comparing hydrogen refueling concepts for heavy-duty vehicles

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 110, pp. 115–127

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate hydrogen refueling station (HRS) concepts for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) based on techno-economic analyses. Considering compressed gaseous ( C G H 2 ) , liquid hydrogen ( L H 2 ) , and cryo-compressed ( C C H 2 ) refueling concepts, a techno-economic hydrogen refueling station model is extended to incorporate recent development and cost variables. The analysis confirms the high potential of L H 2 based concepts due to hydrogen flow rates, reduced HRS energy demand, station design, significantly lower HRS investment and operational expenditures, resulting in specific hydrogen refueling costs of €0.16–0.58 / k g H 2 in contrast to €1.02–3.73 / k g H 2 in the case of gaseous HRS. Liquid hydrogen-based refueling processes have been found to be the most cost-efficient. Furthermore, the technological development of key components, as well as the establishment of standardized filling protocols, were considered important to facilitate rapid infrastructure development. • Liquid hydrogen-based HDV refueling concepts offer the lowest total expenditure. • Cryogenic compressed states provide benefits in terms of storage density and handling. • 70 MPa gaseous filling leads to the highest costs and largest land and energy demands.

Authors 5

1. Tobias Otto corresponding

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany

2. Stefan Kraus

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany

3. Thomas Grube

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany

4. Jochen Linßen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany

5. Detlef Stolten Aachen Chair for Fuel Cells

   RWTH Aachen University · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair for Fuel Cells, RWTH Aachen University, c/o Institute of Electrochemical Process Engineering, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH D-52425 Jülich, Germany

   Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52425 Jülich, Germany