Green Hydrogen Hub Development: A Case Study of Galway's Path to a Hydrogen-Powered Future

Nowadays, the supply chain for green hydrogen is quite limited, with only a few small projects utilising this form of energy. However, rapid growth is necessary for the industry to scale up and substantially contribute to the overall energy transition. The green hydrogen value chain encompasses various interconnected elements, spanning from production to consumption, and is closely linked with the broader energy sector. The creation of some hydrogen valleys and the Irland’s vast wind potential could be used to produce hydrogen, and other electrofuels, for the decarbonisation of some of the hardest-to-abate sectors of the energy system. The project aims to investigate the potential of green hydrogen production to meet the growing hydrogen demand in Galway in the future. To begin with, the study quantifies the future energy balance and hydrogen demand of the region, which forms the foundation for the subsequent investigation. A techno-economic analysis compared three green hydrogen production methods: grid-connected using electricity from operational RE assets through PPA or buying electricity from the wholesale market only when GHG emission intensity is below the RED II threshold, and off-grid electrolysis. The goal was to outline the optimum scenario for demand metering, lower LCOH and hydrogen GHG emission intensity, for each decade from 2030 to 2050, analysing different renewable sites that could be identified as hydrogen hubs.