Techno-Economic Performance Optimisation of an Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Refueling Station

This paper evaluates the possibility of converting a city’s bus fleet to hydrogen power, focusing on creating a green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to support 450 buses. It uses PLEXOS software to perform a comprehensive techno-economic environmental analysis, comparing it with other global hydrogen bus projects. The study calculates the required hydrogen by examining bus schedules and applying a systematic approach to assess daily, weekly, seasonal, and unpredictable demand variations. Wind resource evaluations guide the choice of wind turbines, integrating them with PEM electrolyzers, batteries, and hydrogen storage to produce green hydrogen. It thoroughly reviews the infrastructure components, expenses, and operational tactics, including an analysis of technical and economic performance indicators. This analysis revealed a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCoH) of 3.41 $/kg. Coupled with the UK’s Hydrogen Business Model, which offers a strike price 12 $/kg for 15 years, the project demonstrates an economically attractive payback period of less than 4 years. This approach not only aligns with the UK’s stringent climate targets, but also fills significant research gaps, providing a scalable and economically feasible model to reduce CO₂ emissions in urban transportation.