Canada

Hydrogen is believed to be the future energy carrier that will reduce environmental pollution and solve the current energy crisis especially when produced from a renewable energy source. Solar energy is a renewable source that has been commonly utilized in the production process of hydrogen for years because it is inexhaustible clean and free. Generally hydrogen is produced by means of a water splitting process mainly electrolysis which requires energy input provided by harvesting solar energy. The proposed model integrates the solar harvesting system into a conventional Rankine cycle producing electrical and thermal power used in domestic applications and hydrogen by high temperature electrolysis (HTE) using a solid oxide steam electrolyzer (SOSE). The model is divided into three subsystems: the solar collector(s) the steam cycle and an electrolysis subsystem where the performance of each subsystem and their effect on the overall efficiency is evaluated thermodynamically using first and second laws. A parametric study investigating the hydrogen production rate upon varying system operating conditions (e.g. solar flux and area of solar collector) is conducted on both parabolic troughs and heliostat fields as potential solar energy harvesters. Results have shown that heliostat-based systems were able to attain optimum performance with an overall thermal efficiency of 27% and a hydrogen production rate of 0.411 kg/s whereas parabolic trough-based systems attained an overall thermal efficiency of 25.35% and produced 0.332 kg/s of hydrogen.

This paper presents an eco-technoeconomic analysis (eTEA) of hydrogen production via solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) aimed at identifying the economically optimal size and operating trajectories for these cells. Notably degradation effects were accounted by employing a data-driven degradationbased model previously developed by our group for the analysis of SOECs. This model enabled the identification of the optimal trajectories under which SOECs can be economically operated over extended periods of time with reduced degradation rate. The findings indicated that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) produced by SOECs (ranging from 2.78 to 11.67 $/kg H2) is higher compared to gray hydrogen generated via steam methane reforming (SMR) (varying from 1.03 to 2.16 $ per kg H2) which is currently the dominant commercial process for large-scale hydrogen production. Additionally SOECs generally had lower life cycle CO2 emissions per kilogram of produced hydrogen (from 1.62 to 3.6 kg CO2 per kg H2) compared to SMR (10.72–15.86 kg CO2 per kg H2). However SOEC life cycle CO2 emissions are highly dependent on the CO2 emissions produced by its power source as SOECs powered by high-CO2-emission sources can produce as much as 32.22 kg CO2 per kg H2. Finally the findings of a sensitivity analysis indicated that the price of electricity has a greater influence on the LCOH than the capital cost.

Guidance on Sensor Placement remains one of the top priorities for the safe deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell equipment in the commercial marketplace. Building on the success of Phase l work reported at TCHS20l9 and published in TJHE this paper discusses the consecutive steps to further develop and validate such guidance for mechanically ventilated enclosures. The key step included a more in-depth analysis of sensitivity to variation of physical parameters in a small enclosure. and finally expansion of the developed approach to confined spaces in an outdoor environment.

Locomotives still use antiqued engines such as internal combustion engines operated by fossil fuels which cause global warming due to their significant emissions. This paper continues investigating the newly hybridized locomotive engine containing a gas turbine system solid oxide fuel cell system energy saving system and on-board hydrogen production system. This new engine is operated using five fuel blends composed of five alternative fuels such as hydrogen methane methanol ethanol and dimethyl ether. The current investigation involves exergy analysis exergo-economic analysis and exergo-environmental analysis to assess the engine from three perspectives: efficiency/irreversibility cost and environmental impact. The study results show that the net power of this new engine is 4948.6 kW and it has an exergetic efficiency of 62.7% according to the fuel and product principle. This engine weighs about 9 tons and costs about $10.2M with a levelized cost rate of 147 $/h and 14.06 mPt/h of overall component-related environmental rate. The average overall specific fuel and product exergy costs are about 37 $/GJ and 60 $/GJ and the minimum values are 13.3 $/GJ and 21.8 $/GJ using methane and hydrogen blend respectively. Also the average overall specific fuel and product exergo-environmental impact are about 15 and 23 mPt/MJ respectively. The on-board hydrogen production has an average exergy cost of 274 $/GJ and an environmental impact of 52 mPt/MJ. Hydrogen blended with methane or methanol is found to be more economic and has less environmental impact.

Northern countries face a unique challenge in decarbonizing heating demands. This study compares two pathways to reduce carbon emissions from building heating by (1) replacing natural gas heaters with electric heat pumps or (2) replacing natural gas with renewable gas. Optimal annual system cost and capacity requirements for Metro Vancouver Canada are assessed for each pathway under nine scenarios. Results show that either pathway can be lower cost but the range of costs is more narrow for the renewable gas pathway. System cost is sensitive to heat demand with colder temperatures favouring the renewable gas pathway and milder temperatures favouring the electrification pathway. These results highlight the need for a better understanding of heating profiles and associated energy system requirements.

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system requires an adequate hydrogen supply and circulation to achieve its expected performance and operating life. An ejector-based hydrogen circulation system can reduce the operating and maintenance costs noise and parasitic power consumption by eliminating the recirculation pump. However the ejector’s hydrogen entrainment capability restricted by its geometric parameters and flow control variability can only operate properly within a relatively narrow range of fuel cell output power. This research introduced the optimal design and operation control methods of a dual-ejector hydrogen supply/circulation system to support the full range of PEMFC system operations. The technique was demonstrated on a 70 kW PEMFC stack with an effective hydrogen entrainment ratio covering 8% to 100% of its output power. The optimal geometry design ensured each ejector covered a specific output power range with maximized entrainment capability. Furthermore the optimal control of hydrogen flow and the two ejectors’ opening and closing times minimized the anode gas pressure fluctuation and reduced the potential harm to the PEMFC’s operation life. The optimizations were based on dedicated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and system dynamics models and simulations. Bench tests of the resulting ejector-based hydrogen supply/circulation system verified the simulation and optimization results.

The central aim of this paper is to provide an up-to-date snapshot of hybrid and hydrogen technology-related developments and activities in the North American heavy haul railway setting placed in the context of the transportation industry more broadly. An overview of relevant alternative propulsion technologies is provided including a discussion of applicability to the transportation sector in general and heavy haul freight rail specifically. This is followed by a discussion of current developments and research in alternative and blended fuels discussed again in both general and specific settings. Key factors and technical considerations for heavy haul applications are reviewed followed by a discussion of non-technical and human factors that motivate a move toward clean energy in North American Heavy Haul systems. Finally current project activities are described to provide a clear understanding of both the status and trajectory of hybrid and hydrogen technologies in the established context.

Hydrogen price significantly impacts its potential as a viable alternative in the sustainable energy transition. This study introduces a synergy-based Hydrogen Pricing Mechanism (HPM) within an integrated framework. The HPM leverages synergy between a Renewable-Penetrated Electric Power System (RP-EPS) and a Hydrogen Energy System (HES). Utilizing the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) it facilitates data exchange quantifying integration levels and simplifying the complexities. The study assesses the HPM’s operational sensitivity across various scenarios of hydrogen generation transportation and storage. It also evaluates the benefits of synergy-based versus stand-alone HPMs. Findings indicate that the synergy-based HPM effectively integrates infrastructure and operational improvements from both EPS and HES leading to optimized hydrogen pricing.

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a broadly recognized phenomenon in metallic materials. If not well understood and managed HE may lead to catastrophic environmental failures in vessels containing hydrogen such as pipelines and storage tanks. HE can affect the mechanical properties of materials such as ductility toughness and strength mainly through the interaction between metal defects and hydrogen. Various phenomena such as hydrogen adsorption hydrogen diffusion and hydrogen interactions with intrinsic trapping sites like dislocations voids grain boundaries and oxide/matrix interfaces are involved in this process. It is important to understand HE mechanisms to develop effective hydrogen resistant strategies. Tensile double cantilever beam bent beam and fatigue tests are among the most common techniques employed to study HE. This article reviews hydrogen diffusion behavior mechanisms and characterization techniques.

Hydrogen globally recognized as the most efficient and clean energy carrier holds the potential to transform future energy systems through its use as a fuel and chemical resource. Although progress has been made in reversible hydrogen adsorption and release challenges in storage continue to impede widespread adoption. This review explores recent advancements in hydrogen storage materials and synthesis methods emphasizing the role of nanotechnology and innovative synthesis techniques in enhancing storage performance and addressing these challenges to drive progress in the field. The review provides a comprehensive overview of various material classes including metal hydrides complex hydrides carbon materials metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous materials. Over 60 % of reviewed studies focused on metal hydrides and alloys for hydrogen storage. Additionally the impact of nanotechnology on storage performance and the importance of optimizing synthesis parameters to tailor material properties for specific applications are summarized. Various synthesis methods are evaluated with a special emphasis on the role of nanotechnology in improving storage performance. Mechanical milling emerges as a commonly used and cost-effective method for fabricating intermetallic hydrides capable of adjusting hydrogen storage properties. The review also explores hydrogen storage tank embrittlement mechanisms particularly subcritical crack growth and examines the advantages and limitations of different materials for various applications supported by case studies showcasing real-world implementations. The challenges underscore current limitations in hydrogen storage materials highlighting the need for improved storage capacity and kinetics. The review also explores prospects for developing materials with enhanced performance and safety providing a roadmap for ongoing advancements in the field. Key findings and directions for future research in hydrogen storage materials emphasize their critical role in shaping future energy systems.