This study evaluated three blue hydrogen production processes - solar-grid powered, wind-powered, and thermal power grid (TPG) - considering the context of Hong Kong, SAR, China. A process sustainability analysis was performed based on energy, economic, and environmental (3E) factors. The energy efficiency analysis indicates that the TPG system is the most energy-efficient with 64% efficiency, followed by the wind power system at 63% and the hybrid solar-grid powered system at 60%. The economic analysis results indicate that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCH) is 2.165 $/kg for the TPG system, 2.132 $/kg for the hybrid solar-grid powered system, and 2.060 $/kg for the wind power system. The environmental assessment suggests that wind powered are eco-friendly with a unit point total (mu Pt) of 1.11, compared to the solar-grid 1.50 mu Pt and TPG system's 1.70 mu Pt. Therefore, 3E analysis proposes wind powered process is more sustainable for blue H2 production.

Sustainability assessment of blue hydrogen production through biomass gasification: A comparative analysis of thermal, solar, and wind energy sources

Toniolo, Sara;Ren, Jingzheng
2025-01-01

Abstract

This study evaluated three blue hydrogen production processes - solar-grid powered, wind-powered, and thermal power grid (TPG) - considering the context of Hong Kong, SAR, China. A process sustainability analysis was performed based on energy, economic, and environmental (3E) factors. The energy efficiency analysis indicates that the TPG system is the most energy-efficient with 64% efficiency, followed by the wind power system at 63% and the hybrid solar-grid powered system at 60%. The economic analysis results indicate that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCH) is 2.165 $/kg for the TPG system, 2.132 $/kg for the hybrid solar-grid powered system, and 2.060 $/kg for the wind power system. The environmental assessment suggests that wind powered are eco-friendly with a unit point total (mu Pt) of 1.11, compared to the solar-grid 1.50 mu Pt and TPG system's 1.70 mu Pt. Therefore, 3E analysis proposes wind powered process is more sustainable for blue H2 production.
2025
Carbon Neutrality
Sustainability
3E analysis
Blue hydrogen
Biomass gasification
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1162730
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