Analysis and Optimization of Global Hydrogen and Power-to-X Supply Chains

Global hydrogen and Power-to-X supply chains encompass production, conversion, storage, and transportation on an international scale. Efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective supply chains are essential for a future hydrogen economy and an indispensable building block for future defossilized economies. We analyze supply chains starting from promising locations for the cost-effective production of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives (e.g., ammonia, methanol, or DME) through to national transfer points such as ports. This can be followed by an analysis of regional hydrogen and PtX supply chains to end users.

We conduct comprehensive simulations and optimizations of global hydrogen and PtX supply chains from technological, economic, and environmental perspectives. To this end, we rely on a validated methodology that uses spatial data to identify regional and national potential for renewable energy (RE) and hydrogen. Process optimization and design of synthesis processes can be performed in AspenPlus, which is accompanied by a validated methodology for estimating the costs of synthesis plants. Based on this, we calculate the corresponding production costs for promising RE sites and large-scale PtX hubs.

In addition to electricity-based PtX routes, we develop hybrid concepts using biomass-to-X (BtX) approaches that combine biomass residues with power-to-X technologies to reduce production costs and use resources more efficiently.

Our Services Include:

• Identification and classification of the generation potential for renewable energy and green hydrogen, as well as their derivatives, in selected regions or entire countries
• Location-specific analyses of production and transport costs
• Time-resolved modeling and dynamic simulation of local to global PtX supply chains using our proprietary software “H₂ProSim”
• Infrastructure analyses and identification of suitable locations for large-scale hydrogen and PtX hubs and promising transport technologies
• Integration of biogenic residues into BtX and Power-and-Biomass-to-X (PBtX) processes to provide additional sources of synthesis gas or CO₂ for PtX routes, including the assessment of residue availability, costs, and environmental impacts
• Identification of optimal sites and quantification of the production potential for direct air capture (DAC) technologies for specific regions or entire countries, including an analysis of selected value chains for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) and carbon capture and storage (CCS)
   

Your Benefits:

• Cost-effective and sustainable: You can compare different PtX production sites, transport modes, and products in terms of cost and sustainability and identify the optimal value chain for your needs.
• Tailored: You have the opportunity to compare various CO₂ capture technologies (DAC, CCS, BECCS), including the necessary logistics, in terms of cost and sustainability, and to select optimal locations for different CO₂ value chains, from renewable power generation to CO₂ utilization or storage.
• Decision-oriented: Our analyses provide comprehensive datasets that support project developers, investors, insurers, and policymakers in their decision-making and can be used for further project development.
• Neutral: As an independent research institute, we serve as a neutral partner for your projects.

Using a proprietary GIS-based methodology (geographic information systems), we analyze selected regions or countries to identify, classify, and cluster promising sites for large-scale renewable energy (RE) parks and future PtX hubs. In a first step, we consider numerous suitability criteria such as solar radiation, wind speeds and frequency, as well as other technical, socio-economic, and economic factors. In a second step, these are weighted on a location-specific basis, and their suitability is rated on a fine-grained scale ranging from 'very unsuitable' to 'ideal for RE' and presented on a detailed overview map. In a further step, corresponding RE clusters are identified that show promise for the construction of large-scale RE parks to supply the targeted PtX hubs with green electricity. Finally, an infrastructure analysis of the region is conducted, taking into account all components relevant to the RE and hydrogen project, including existing and potential CO₂ sources, sinks, and transport infrastructure. In addition to renewable electricity generation potential, the availability and quality of biogenic residues for BtX concepts can also be optionally analysed to prepare combined electricity and biomass-based value chains.

To analyze hydrogen production and supply pathways, we use our modelling framework “H₂ProSim,” which has been developed over many years and validated in numerous projects. We use this to simulate and optimize the production and transport costs for hydrogen and PtX products at globally distributed locations. This is possible for specific locations as well as for entire regions and countries. In doing so, we take into account the conditions and specific characteristics of the respective location identified in the analyses (e.g., RE potential, infrastructure connectivity, heat integration potential, carbon sources), which form a central basis for decision-making regarding site selection. We then simulate the hydrogen value chain holistically, starting with electricity generation, through hydrogen production and Power-to-X synthesis, all the way to storage, national and international logistics, and final off-take. This is done with high temporal and spatial resolution, while also examining technological details such as the dynamics of individual synthesis pathways, the size of hydrogen storage facilities and batteries, or optimized logistics concepts for transport ships or trucks.

If required, we expand the analyses to include BtX and Power-and-Biomass-to-X routes, in which biogenic residues are converted into synthesis gas or biogenic CO₂ and further processed with green hydrogen into liquid or gaseous energy carriers.