Macro-Level optimization of hydrogen infrastructure and supply chain for zero-emission vehicles on a canadian corridor

The transportation sector has been the largest contributor to emissions and pollution in Canada. Climate and public health have been negatively affected by the consumption of fossil fuels by conventional vehicles. The rollout of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) has not yet occurred due to a conundrum. Specifically, a refueling infrastructure is required for the mass deployment of FCEVs, but the commercialization of FCEVs is required for investments, thus leading to the question of which will be required first, vehicle commercialization or hydrogen refueling stations. This paper develops a multi-objective model to determine the optimal sizes and locations of the hydrogen infrastructure needed to generate and distribute hydrogen for the key Highway Corridor (HWY 401) in Ontario. The model is used to aid the early-stage transition plan for the conversion of conventional vehicles to FCEVs in Ontario by proposing a feasible solution to the infrastructure dilemma posed by the initial adoption of hydrogen as fuel in the general market. The health benefit from the pollution reduction is also determined to show the potential social and economic incentives of using FCEVs. The results show that hydrogen production and delivery cost can reduce from $22.7/kg H-2 in a 0.1% market share scenario to $14.7/kg H-2 in a 1% market share scenario. The environmental and health benefit of developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles is 1.63 million dollar per year and 1.45 million dollars per year, respectively. Also, every kilogram of H-2 can avoid 11.09 kg CO2 from entering the atmosphere. In a 1% market share scenario, proposed hydrogen network avoids more than 37,000 tonnes CO2 per year. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper examines the environmental impact of the transportation sector in Canada and the development of fuel cell electric vehicles. By developing a multi-objective model, it determines the optimal sizes and locations of hydrogen infrastructure along Highway 401 in Ontario, proposing a feasible solution to the infrastructure dilemma of using hydrogen as fuel in the market. Benefits of pollution reduction and cost savings are highlighted, showing the potential social and economic incentives of transitioning to FCEVs.