Hydrogen

Hydrogen modeling in KiNESYS covers production pathways for “grey”, “blue”, “turquoise”, and “green” hydrogen, with hydrogen production coupled to intermittent electricity production using detailed sub-annual time-slice modeling. The framework includes demand-side technologies for hydrogen use in industrial sectors, transportation, and the possibility of mixing in natural gas distribution systems.

Hydrogen Production Pathways

Production Technologies

KiNESYS models multiple hydrogen production technologies to produce different categories of hydrogen based on their carbon intensity and production methods:

  • Grey hydrogen: Conventional production from fossil fuels

  • Blue hydrogen: Fossil fuel-based production with carbon capture

  • Turquoise hydrogen: Methane pyrolysis producing solid carbon

  • Green hydrogen: Electrolytic production using renewable electricity

Renewable Energy Integration

Hydrogen production can be coupled with intermittent electricity production, which is modeled in detail using a relatively detailed sub-annual time-slice approach for each modeling period. This enables optimization of electrolytic hydrogen production with variable renewable energy sources.

Hydrogen Trade Infrastructure

International Trade Modeling

Based on the H2_trade_cost_matrix data, KiNESYS models hydrogen trade through three main transport modes:

  • Liquid Hydrogen (LH2): Cryogenic hydrogen transport

  • Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC): Chemical hydrogen carriers

  • Ammonia: Ammonia as hydrogen transport medium

Export and Import Regions

The model includes bilateral trade links between selected export regions and demand regions:

  • Export regions: Australia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Norway, Canada, Oman, Namibia, UAE, South Africa, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iceland

  • Import regions: Major demand centers including Europe, Asia, and North America

  • Trade costs: Distance-based costs for production, conversion, transport, and reconversion

Hydrogen End-Use Applications

Industrial Sector Applications

Demand-side technologies for hydrogen consumption include:

  • Industrial processes: Hydrogen use in various industrial sectors

  • Steel production: Hydrogen applications in steel manufacturing

  • Chemical industry: Hydrogen as feedstock and process gas

Transportation Sector

Hydrogen applications in transportation include:

  • Heavy-duty vehicles: Fuel cell trucks and buses

  • Maritime transport: Hydrogen and ammonia as marine fuels

  • Aviation: Potential hydrogen applications in aviation sector

Natural Gas System Integration

  • Gas network blending: Possibility of mixing hydrogen in natural gas distribution systems

  • Infrastructure utilization: Leveraging existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen transport