Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Spatially-resolved optimisation of coupled hydrogen and electricity systems: Abundant and niche hydrogen scenarios in Switzerland

Published inInternational journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 121, p. 96-110
Publication date2025-04-23
First online date2025-03-28
Abstract

This study analyses the spatial distribution of hydrogen demand for industry feedstock, high-temperature process heat, heavy-duty goods transport, shipping and aviation in Switzerland and then cost-optimizes coupled electricity and hydrogen systems at a high spatial and temporal resolution in 2035 and 2050. Three scenarios of how hydrogen markets could develop are considered: Hydrogen economy, Hydrogen as a niche, and Midway. The results show that hydrogen in Switzerland can be fully provided from renewable electricity, best in regions with hydropower or wind power and near hydrogen demand sites. Hydrogen has only marginal potential though for re-conversion as electricity storage or for replacing natural gas in combustion plants. As hydrogen storage in compressed tanks is not cost-effective in Switzerland, intermediate storage in hydrogen transport trucks as well as hydrogen export to neighbouring countries with underground storage are favourable. Under conservative assumptions of hydrogen import costs, Switzerland could be a competitive hydrogen exporter.

Keywords
  • Sector coupling
  • Hydrogen
  • Electricity system optimisation
  • Hydrogen infrastructure modelling
  • Hydrogen supply chain
Funding
  • Industrial Services of Geneva (SIG)
  • Swiss Federal Office of Energy - SWEET SURE
Citation (ISO format)
WALLINGER, Sara et al. Spatially-resolved optimisation of coupled hydrogen and electricity systems: Abundant and niche hydrogen scenarios in Switzerland. In: International journal of hydrogen energy, 2025, vol. 121, p. 96–110. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.345
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Article (Published version)
Identifiers
Journal ISSN0360-3199
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114downloads

Technical informations

Creation09/04/2025 15:06:18
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Update12/05/2025 08:48:37
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