Design of Hydrogen Supply Chain Networks for Cross-Regional Distribution

Abstract

In the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, hydrogen has emerged as a key energy carrier, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. This study presents a mixed-integer linear programming model for the design of a cross-regional hydrogen supply chain (HSC), addressing the future challenge of bulk hydrogen distribution. The model aims to make strategic decisions regarding technology selection, facility scaling, construction locations, and distribution methods across different parts of the HSC, encompassing production, storage, transportation, and end-use. The primary goal is to optimize supply chain structures to enhance hydrogen distribution’s economic viability and sustainability. The study accounts for hydrogen state transitions during storage and allows distribution among various storage nodes. Additionally, regional grid partitioning is incorporated, integrating geographic data to optimize the layout of hydrogen infrastructure. The model is applied to hydrogen distribution from Inner Mongolia to the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration, with various scenarios analyzed based on different hydrogen demand forecasts. The results demonstrate that the method proposed in this study can achieve a maximum daily supply chain cost reduction of 2.4%. Furthermore, a multiobjective analysis is performed to balance trade-offs between the levelized cost of hydrogen and carbon emissions. When selecting a compromise solution between the multiobjectives, the economic performance is comparable to that of traditional fuel vehicles, while carbon emissions could be reduced by 26.7%. The resulting insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between cost-efficiency and environmental impact, guiding strategic decisions for sustainable hydrogen deployment.