Modelling and Optimization of a Hydrogen Refuelling Station with CH2P Technology

Abstract

The vehicle industry is increasingly exploring emission-free mobility. Transforming the mobility sector to zero-emission vehicles that consume renewable and low carbon fuels is necessary to reduce the impacts on climate change. Hydrogen powered electric vehicles, or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), could make a significant contribution to reduce GHG-emissions and energy use in the transport sector. The current refuelling network for hydrogen vehicles is in its very early stages. The Cogeneration of Hydrogen,
Heat and Power project (CH2P) aims to impact the sector with a more efficient solution for the growing hydrogen infrastructure. It does so by offering very efficient decentralized H2 refuelling stations. The goal of this project is to design a refuelling station that has the ability to refuel hydrogen vehicles and to charge electric vehicles. The onsite CH2P production system is based on SMR and SOFC technology. A thermodynamic model has been designed to size and optimize all the station components. This includes the compression, intercooling, storage, throttling, precooling and dispensing of hydrogen, and the storage and charging of power. Main messages to take away from this analysis are the following: CH2P as a decentralized production method is protable. For higher station utilization the NPV has the potential to increase further by 55 %. Cascade filling of vehicles reduces the total storage and energy demand, and greatly reduces the CAPEX of the station. The optimal configuration consisted only of 950 bar High Pressure Storages. By adding a battery to the station, the system can power five fast-chargers to charge BEVs. However, power production by CH2P is more expensive than grid power and the current electric system is not sufficient for coping with sudden power fluctuations.