Publications

The growing concern about climate change and the contemporary increase in mobility requirements call for faster cheaper safer and cleaner means of transportation. The retrofitting of fossil-fueled piston engine ultralight aerial vehicles to hydrogen power systems is an option recently proposed in this direction. The goal of this investigation is a comparative analysis of the environmental impact of conventional and hydrogen-based propulsive syst Read More

This paper presents an assessment of the levelized cost of clean hydrogen produced in Sicily a region in Southern Italy particularly rich in renewable energy and where nearly 50% of Italy’s refineries are located making a comparison between on-site production that is near the end users who will use the hydrogen and centralized production comparing the costs obtained by employing the two types of electrolyzers already commercially available. In the study Read More

A regional integrated energy system (RIES) synergizing multiple energy forms is pivotal for enhancing renewable energy use and mitigating the greenhouse effect. Considering that the equipment of the current regional comprehensive energy system is relatively simple there is a coupling relationship linking power generation refrigeration and heating in the cogeneration system which is complex and cannot directly meet various load demands. This article pro Read More

In this latest OIES podcast James Henderson talks to Bill Farren-Price the new Head of the Gas Programme about some of Key Themes identified by OIES research fellows for 2024. After a review of the outcomes from 2023 we look at the oil and gas markets and discuss a common theme around the contrast between the fundamental tightness in both markets compared with the relative softness of prices. We then move onto a number of energy transiti Read More

The current study presents a comprehensive investigation of different energy system configurations for a remote village community in India with entirely renewable electricity. Excess electricity generated by the systems has been stored using two types of energy storage options: lithium-ion batteries and green hydrogen production through the electrolysers. The hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) configurations have been sized by minimising the lev Read More

Hydrogen trade is an emerging area of interest for hydrogen developers end-users traders and governments around the world. It can enhance system flexibility energy security and clean growth enabling decarbonisation at a lower cost and faster pace. Thanks to its competitive advantage in existing ports terminals and interconnectors the UK is well placed to be the European trade hub for hydrogen and its carriers. With its access to world leading of Read More

The pressing global challenge of climate change necessitates a concerted effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions particularly carbon dioxide. A critical pathway is to replace fossil fuel sources by electrification including transportation. While electrification of light-duty vehicles is rapidly expanding the heavy-duty vehicle sector is subject to challenges notably the logistical drawbacks of the size and weight of high-capacity batteries required for range as Read More

This work discusses the current scenario and future growth of electrochemical energy devices such as water electrolyzers and fuel cells. It is based on the pivotal role that hydrogen can play as an energy carrier to replace fossil fuels. Moreover it is envisaged that the scaled-up and broader deployment of the technologies can hold the potential to address the challenges associated with intermittent renewable energy generation. From a sustainability per Read More

Hydrogen is a promising solution for the decarbonisation of several hard-to-abate end uses which are mainly in the industrial and transport sectors. The development of an extensive hydrogen delivery infrastructure is essential to effectively activate and deploy a hydrogen economy connecting production storage and demand. This work adopts a mixed-integer linear programming model to study the cost-optimal design of a future hydrogen infrastru Read More

Experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to study the flame acceleration (FA) in stoichiometric CH4/H2/air mixtures with various hydrogen blend ratios (i.e. Hbr = 0% 20% 50% 80% and 100%). In the experiments high-speed photography was used to record the FA process. In the calculations the two-dimensional fully-compressible reactive Navier-Stokes equations were solved using a high-order algorithm on a dynamically adapting mesh. T Read More

In response to the urgent need to mitigate climate change via net-zero targets many nations are renewing their interest in clean hydrogen as a net-zero energy carrier. Although clean hydrogen can be directly used in various sectors for deep decarbonization the relatively low energy density and high production costs have raised doubts as to whether clean hydrogen development is worthwhile. Here we improve on the GCAM model by including Read More

This manuscript presents a thorough review of unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs) and their importance in Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS). In RAPS systems that utilize solar and hydrogen power which typically include photovoltaic modules a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer hydrogen gas storage and PEM fuel cells the cost of these systems is currently higher compared to conventional RAPS systems that employ diesel generators or Read More

Interest in more sustainable energy sources has increased rapidly in the maritime industry and ambitious goals have been set for decreasing ship emissions. All industry stakeholders have reacted to this with different approaches including the optimisation of ship power plants the development of new energy-improving sub-systems for existing solutions or the design of entirely novel power plant concepts employing alternative fuels. This paper assesses Read More

For widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles such vehicles need to be able to provide similar transportation capabilities as their gasoline/diesel powered counterparts. Meeting this requirement in many regions will necessitate access to tunnels. Previous work completed at Sandia National Laboratories provided high-fidelity consequence modeling of hydrogen vehicle tunnel crashes for a specific fire scenario in selected Mass Read More

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) the capacity to generate energy faces significant hurdles. Despite efforts to integrate renewable energy sources and natural gas power plants into the energy portfolio the desired reduction in environmental impact and alleviation of energy poverty remain elusive. Hence exploring a spectrum of hybrid technologies encompassing storage and hydrogen-based solutions is imperative to optimize energy production while mitigatin Read More

A sustainable future hydrogen economy hinges on the development of green hydrogen and the shift away from grey hydrogen but this is highly reliant on reducing production costs which are currently too high for green hydrogen to be competitive. This study predicts the cost trajectory of alkaline and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers based on ongoing research and development (R&D) scale effects and experiential learning consequently Read More

The maritime industry is recognized as a major pollution source to the environment. The use of low- or zero-carbon marine alternative fuel is a promising measure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants leading to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hydrogen (H2 ) fuel cells particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and ammonia (NH3 ) are screened out to be the feasible marine gaseous alternative fuels. Green h Read More

Green hydrogen is considered to be one of the best candidates for fossil fuels in the near future. Bio-hydrogen production from the dark fermentation of organic materials including organic wastes is one of the most cost-effective and promising methods for hydrogen production. One of the main challenges posed by this method is the low production rate. Therefore optimizing the operating parameters such as the initial pH value operating temperatur Read More

Considering the mismatch between the renewable source availability and energy demand energy storage is increasingly vital for achieving a net-zero future. The daily/seasonal disparities produce a surplus of energy at specific moments. The question is how can this “excess” energy be stored? One promising solution is hydrogen. Conventional hydrogen storage relies on manufactured vessels. However scaling the technology requires larger volumes to s Read More

With the massive use of traditional fossil fuels greenhouse gas emissions are increasing and environmental pollution is becoming an increasingly serious problem which led to an imminent energy transition. Therefore the development and application of renewable energy are particularly important. This paper reviews a wide range of issues associated with hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs). The issues concerning system configurations energy sto Read More

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the adoption of autonomous vehicles for marine and submarine missions. The advancement of emerging imaging navigation and communication technologies has greatly expanded the range of operational capabilities and opportunities available. The ENDURUNS project is a European research endeavor focused on identifying strategies for achieving minimal environmental impact. To measure th Read More

Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly fuel that can facilitate the upcoming energy transition. The development of an extensive infrastructure for hydrogen transport and storage is crucial. However the mechanical properties of structural materials are significantly degraded in H2 environments leading to early component failures. Pipelines are designed following defect-tolerant principles and are subjected to periodic pressure fluctuations. Hence these sy Read More

Hydrogen has the capability of being a potential energy carrier and providing a long-term solution for sustainable lower-carbon and ecologically benign fuel supply. Because lower-carbon hydrogen is widely used in chemical synthesis it is regarded as a fuel with no emissions for transportation. This review paper offers a novel technique for producing hydrogen using wastewater in a sustainable manner. The many techniques for producing hydrogen with re Read More

While hydrogen is regularly discussed as a possible option for storing regenerative energies its low minimum ignition energy and broad range of explosive concentrations pose safety challenges regarding hydrogen storage and there are also challenges related to hydrogen production and transport and at the point of use. A risk assessment of the whole hydrogen energy system is necessary to develop hydrogen utilization further. Here we concentrate on Read More

The growing emphasis on renewable energy highlights hydrogen’s potential as a clean energy carrier. However traditional hydrogen production methods contribute significantly to carbon emissions. This review examines the integration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies with hydrogen production processes focusing on their ability to mitigate carbon emissions. It evaluates various hydrogen production techniques including steam Read More

Accelerating the transition to a cleaner global energy system is essential for tackling the climate crisis and green hydrogen energy systems hold significant promise for integrating renewable energy sources. This paper offers a thorough evaluation of green hydrogen’s potential as a groundbreaking alternative to achieve near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within a renewable energy framework. The paper explores current technological options and Read More

The decarbonization of industrial process heat is one of the bigger challenges of the global energy transition. Process heating accounts for about 20% of final energy demand in Germany and the situation is similar in other industrialized nations around the globe. Process heating is indispensable in the manufacturing processes of products and materials encountered every day ranging from food beverages paper and textiles to metals ceramics glass and cemen Read More

Grids require electricity storage. Two emerging storage technologies are battery storage (BS) and green hydrogen storage (GHS) (hydrogen produced and compressed with clean-renewable electricity stored then returned to electricity with a fuel cell). An important question is whether GHS alone decreases system cost versus BS alone or BS+GHS. Here energy costs are modeled in 145 countries grouped into 24 regions. Existing conventional hydropo Read More

Green hydrogen has been considered a promising alternative to fossil fuels in chemical and energy applications. In this study a life cycle analysis is conducted for green hydrogen production sourced with a mixture of renewable energy sources (50 % solar and 50 % wind energy). Two advanced technologies of alkaline electrolysis are selected and compared for hydrogen production: pressurised alkaline electrolyser and capillary-fed alkaline electrolyser. T Read More

Hydrogen is gaining importance to decarbonize the energy system and tackle the climate crisis. This exploratory study analyzes three focus groups with representatives from relevant organizations in a Northern German region that has unique beneficial characteristics for the transition to a hydrogen economy. Based upon this data (1) a category system of innovation adoption barriers for hydrogen technologies is developed (2) decision levels associated Read More

This paper presents the “Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat No. 1” a novel green hydrogen-powered vessel that has been successfully delivered and is currently sailing. This vessel integrated with a hydrogen production and bunkering station at its dedicated dock achieves zero-carbon emissions. It stores 240 kg of 35 MPa gaseous hydrogen and has a fuel cell system rated at 500 kW. We analysed the engineering details of the marine hydrogen system including Read More

This paper investigates hydrogen’s potential to accelerate the energy transition in hardto-abate sectors such as steel petrochemicals glass cement and paper. The goal is to assess how hydrogen produced from renewable sources can foster both industrial decarbonization and the expansion of renewable energy installations especially solar and wind. Hydrogen’s dual role as a fuel and a chemical agent for process innovation is explored with a focus Read More

As a clean energy source hydrogen not only helps to reduce the use of fossil fuels but also promotes the transformation of energy structure and sustainable development. This paper firstly introduces the development status of green hydrogen at home and abroad and then focuses on several advanced green hydrogen production technologies. Then the advantages and shortcomings of different green hydrogen production technologies are compared. A Read More

The study investigates the potential of transitioning Iraq a nation significantly dependent on fossil fuels toward a green hydrogen-based energy system as a pathway to achieving sustainable economic resilience. As of 2022 Iraqi energy supply is over 90% reliant on hydrocarbons which also account for 95% of the country foreign exchange earnings. The global energy landscape is rapidly shifting towards cleaner alternatives and the volatility of oil prices has Read More

Climatic changes are reaching alarming levels globally seriously impacting the environment. To address this environmental crisis and achieve carbon neutrality transitioning to hydrogen energy is crucial. Hydrogen is a clean energy source that produces no carbon emissions making it essential in the technological era for meeting energy needs while reducing environmental pollution. Abundant in nature as water and hydrocarbons hydrogen mu Read More

The significant growth of both the global population and economy in recent years has led to a rise in global energy demand. Fossil fuels have a significant contribution to generating energy which has raised concerns about sustainability and environmental impact. There are widespread efforts to find alternative sources in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate their environmental consequences. Among the alternative sources hydrogen h Read More

Despite the number of works on the techno-economics of offshore green hydrogen production there is a lack of research on the design of floating platforms to concomitantly support hydrogen production facilities and wind power generation equipment. Indeed previous studies on offshore decentralised configuration for hydrogen production implicitly assume that a floating platform designed for wind power generation (FOWT) can be also suitable Read More

The current study seeks to greenhouse gas emissions reduction in an existing engine under dual-fuel combustion fueled with diesel fuel and natural gas due to great concerns about global warming. This simulation study focuses on the identification of areas prone to the formation of greenhouse gas emissions in engine cylinders. The simulation results of dual-fuel combustion confirmed that the possibility of incomplete combustion and the formation of gree Read More

In confined spaces hydrogen released with low momentum tends to accumulate in a layer below the ceiling; the concentration in this layer rises and can rapidly enter the flammability range. In this context ventilation is a key safety equipment to prevent the formation of such flammable volumes. To ensure its well-sizing to each specific industrial context it is necessary to dispose of reliable engineering models. Currently the existing engineering models d Read More

To consider an appropriate evaluation method for hydrogen compatibility slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests were conducted on high strength piping materials cold-worked type 316 austenitic stainless steel (SUS316CW) and iron-based superalloy A286 used in hydrogen stations for two years.SUS316CW used at room temperature in 82 MPa gaseous hydrogen contained 7.8 mass ppm hydrogen. The SSRT test of SUS316CW was conducted in nitroge Read More

This study investigates the light gas dispersion behaviour in a maintenance garage with natural or forced ventilation. A scaled-down garage model (0.71 m high 3.07 m long and 3.36 m wide) equipped with gas and velocity sensors was used in the experiments. The enclosure had four rectangular vents at the ceiling and four at the bottom on two opposing side walls. The experiments were performed by injecting helium continuously through a 1-mm dow Read More

This study develops a framework for designing hydrogen supply chains (HSC) in island territories using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) with a multi-period approach. The framework minimizes system costs greenhouse gas emissions and a risk-based index. Corsica is used as a case study with a Geographic Information System (GIS) identifying hydrogen demand regions and potential sites for production storage and distribution. The results Read More

The large-scale integration of renewable energy sources leads to daily and seasonal mismatches between supply and demand and the curtailment of wind power. Hydrogen produced from surplus wind power offers an attractive solution to these challenges. In this paper we consider a large offshore wind park and analyze the need for hydrogen storage at the onshore and offshore sides of a large transportation pipeline that connects the wind park to the Read More

Hydrogen is experiencing an unprecedented global hype. Hydrogen is globally discussed as a possible future energy carrier and regarded as the urgently needed building block for the much needed carbon-neutral energy transition of hard-to-abate sectors to mitigate the effects of global warming. This article provides synthesised measurable sustainability criteria for analysing green hydrogen production proposals and strategies. Drawn from expert inte Read More

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources is a valuable energy carrier for linking growing renewable electricity generation with the hard-to-abate sectors such as cement steel glass chemical and ceramics industries. In this context this paper presents a new model of hydrogen production based on solar photovoltaics and wind energy with application to a real-world ceramics factory. For this task a novel multipurpose profit-maximizing model is impl Read More

The strategic importance of hydrogen has gained significant recognition as nations across the world have committed to achieving net zero. Here in the UK there’s a widespread consensus that hydrogen is critical to achieving our net zero target. This commitment culminated in the launch of the UK’s first Hydrogen Strategy and has been reaffirmed by Chris Skidmore’s Independent Review of Net Zero. Both these documents highlight hydrogen’s imp Read More

Hydrogen primarily produced from steam methane reforming plays a crucial role in oil refining and provides a solution for the oil and gas industry's long-term energy transition by reducing CO2 emissions. This paper examines hydrogen’s role in this transition. Firstly experiences from oil and gas exploration including in-situ gasification can be leveraged for hydrogen production from subsurface natural hydrogen reservoirs. The produced hydrogen can serve as f Read More

A unique hydrogen leak detection strategy is the use of powerless indicator wraps for fittings and other pneumatic elements within a hydrogen facility. One transduction mechanism of such indicators is a color change that is induced by a reaction between a pigment and released hydrogen. This is an effective way to detect hydrogen leaks and to identify their source before they become a safety event however this technology requires visual (manual) inspecti Read More

During the last decade developing more sustainable transportation modes has become a primary objective for car manufacturers and governments around the world to mitigate environmental issues such as climate change the continuous increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy depletion. The use of hydrogen fuel cell technology as a source of energy in electric vehicles is considered an emerging and promising technology that could con Read More

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have received significant attention in recent times due to various advantageous features such as high energy efficiency zero emissions and extended driving range. However FCEVs have some drawbacks including high production costs; limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure; and the complexity of converters controllers and method execution. To address these challenges smart energy management involving appropriate con Read More