Optimal transition towards a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure for the transport sector: The case for the Netherlands

A multi-period optimization framework based on a comprehensive techno-economic analysis is used to design spatially-explicit and time-evolutionary hydrogen (H2) supply networks. It is of particular interest to investigate the spatio-temporal economic, environmental and energetic performance if H2 were to be introduced as a fuel in the Dutch transport sector. A key observation is that the transition towards a large-scale H2 supply infrastructure is economically viable, if designed optimally with a holistic long-term systems perspective. However, the well-to-tank (WtT) CO2 emission reduction potential is limited (ca. 30%), which can be improved (ca. 85%) with carbon capture and storage (CCS). The spatially-explicit nature of the framework facilitates the design of efficient networks with a high network-wide WtT energy efficiency (ca. 50% or more). Furthermore, H2 is observed to have the potential to alleviate Dutch energy security concerns. (Disclaimer: Results/comments are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent the views of the associated organizations/institutions).