Hydrogen supply chain optimization for deployment scenarios in the Midi-Pyrenees region, France

Several roadmaps and international projects are interested in the development of the hydrogen economy for the transportation system. Yet, the development of a hydrogen economy suffers from a lack of infrastructure to store and supply H-2 fuel to the refuelling stations, while at the same time, hydrogen can be just seen as one alternative among others to compete with the current fossil fuels. To determine if hydrogen is a competitive option, many scenarios must be assessed considering not only the cost as the target to determine the feasibility but, also environmental and safety objectives. This work is focused on the design of a hydrogen supply chain for deployment scenarios in the Midi-Pyrenees region in France based on multi-objective optimization. Specific constraints related to the energy sources have been integrated and a multi-period long-term problem is examined (2020-2050). Two solution strategies will be implemented to solve this multi-period problem: a global optimization through epsilon-constraint method and a sequential optimization through lexicographic and epsilon-constraint methods. The consideration of different geographical scales and the impact of the initiation step in the development of a sustainable supply chain have been highlighted. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.