Green Hydrogen Bridge: Harnessing African Solar Resources for European Energy Transition

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to develop a design methodology using ordinal optimization (OO) technique for hydrogen generation in Europe using a hybrid solar system located in Africa. Reverse osmosis water desalination, water electrolysis using a polymer- electrolyte membrane (PEM), solar panels and batteries are the subsystems used to produce green hydrogen. The main goal is to size properly each of these system components to achieve an average production rate of around 50 tons per day at the lowest cost of production in dollars per kilogram of hydrogen. The cost of production will take into account the different systems used in addition to transportation of the power through submarine cables from Africa to Europe. This thesis examines the feasibility of harnessing abundant solar energy resources in North Africa to export it to Europe where it will be used to produce green hydrogen for the European market. The green hydrogen produced using solar energy, does not emit carbon dioxide when oxidized, making it an essential tool in the fight against global warming, and helping to reach a decarbonized economy by replacement of fossil fuels, which is as an important step toward a more sustainable and ecologically friendly energy future. This study intends to construct a comprehensive and sustainable green hydrogen generation simulation model using a multidisciplinary approach that includes solar technology, electrochemical water electrolysis, and economic modeling. This simulation model will be used in an ordinal optimization approach to determine the size and cost each subsystem in order to produce the market demand of 50 tons of hydrogen per day at minimum cost. Through this OO approach, an optimal solution has been identified, comprising a PV size of 810MW, battery size of 1350MWh, PEM size of 86 tons per day, RO size of 56.25m3/h, SC size of 2000mm2 and hydrogen storage of 32 tons. The results underscore the viability of the proposed approach in meeting production goals at a competitive cost of $4.43 per kilogram of hydrogen, with the Morocco and Spain route chosen for power delivery. The quoted cost is based on projected technologies for the year 2035 and is likely to drop further.