Design and techno-economic analysis of Hydrogen refueling stations: Scenarios developed in Torino and Palermo.

This thesis explores the feasibility and economic viability of various hydrogen refueling station layouts across two distinct urban settings, Torino and Palermo. Six scenarios were meticulously designed and analyzed, with a focus on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and risk assessment. The three layout options considered for each city were: 1.??On-grid refueling station with integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels. 2.??Off-grid refueling station with PV panels and a lithium-ion battery storage system. 3.??Hybrid off-grid refueling station with PV panels and a hydrogen fuel cell to produce electricity from hydrogen. All the scenarios were designed and analyzed through the software HOMER Pro, which optimizes micro-grid designs across all industries to minimize the costs and to calculate important economic indexes such as the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to compare the various layouts to each other. The simulations showed that the on-grid layout emerged as the most cost-effective option in terms of initial capital cost and operational expenses. In the scenario developed for Torino, the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) was determined to be 10.38 €/kg, with a Net Present Cost (NPC) of 7209536 €. Meanwhile, in Palermo, the on-grid station exhibited an even lower LCOH of 8.91 €/kg and an NPC of 6190773 €. Even if the system is on-grid the hydrogen produced is considered green because just 1% of the total electricity produced comes from the grid, so the emissions generated yearly hovers around 20000 kg which is a negligible value compared to the yearly emissions produced by traditional combustion engine vehicles. In addition to the economic analysis, a comprehensive risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the robustness of these scenarios. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision-making method was employed to quantify and prioritize risks associated with each scenario. The results of the risk analysis consistently favored the on-grid scenario as the most profitable option for the Torino location. Conversely, the hybrid refueling station with a hydrogen fuel cell emerged as the optimal choice in Palermo, demonstrating the adaptability of hydrogen infrastructure solutions to the specific characteristics of each urban environment. This thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding sustainable hydrogen infrastructure by providing valuable insights into the design, economic viability, and economic risk assessment of hydrogen refueling stations. The outcomes emphasize the importance of tailoring hydrogen infrastructure solutions to the unique conditions of each urban setting, while also highlighting the potential for on-grid systems to be a cost-effective choice, especially in regions with grid infrastructure advantages. Moreover, the study underscores the significance of risk analysis in decision-making processes related to hydrogen infrastructure projects, promoting informed and strategic choices for future hydrogen development initiatives.