A new study titled “Hydrogen Supply Chain for Future Hydrogen-Fuelled Railway in the UK: Transport Sector Focused” delves into the logistics and cost-efficiency of establishing a hydrogen supply chain specifically for the UK’s railway system.
The research is authored by Zhan Xu, Ning Zhao, Yan Yan, Yuqi Zhang, Tongtong Zhang, Dawei Wu, Stuart Hillmansen, and Shigen Gao.
The study addresses a critical barrier in the advancement of hydrogen-powered trains: the high costs associated with an underdeveloped hydrogen supply chain. By focusing on hydrogen transportation, the authors aim to contribute to the decarbonization efforts of regional railway lines in the UK.
Key findings of the research include the development of a spatially explicit model for the UK’s hydrogen supply chain. This model, refined using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), aims to enhance the accuracy and applicability of hydrogen distribution strategies. The study considers various hydrogen mediums, such as compressed hydrogen at three distinct pressures and liquid hydrogen, transported by both road and rail.
Three future penetration scenarios of hydrogen-fueled rail systems up to the year 2050 were simulated. These scenarios help assess the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and identify the most suitable national transport network. The developed model demonstrates the potential to systematically design the hydrogen distribution network for railway traction in the UK. As these systems evolve, adjustments in transport mediums and vehicles will be crucial for cost efficiency.
One notable finding is the reduction in the levelized cost of hydrogen from 6.13 £/kg to 5.13 £/kg on average, moving from the conservative scenario to the more radical adoption scenario. This cost reduction indicates that optimizing transport combinations for specific needs can meet demand while reducing expenses for a multi-supplier and multi-targeted hydrogen transport system.
From a technical perspective, the study incorporates comprehensive data to support the entire supply chain and uses a sophisticated mixed-integer linear programming model to enhance distribution models. This research could have wide-reaching implications for the hydrogen industry, particularly in the transportation sector by offering a potentially viable blueprint for hydrogen-fueled railways.
