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Abstract: In order to achieve a hydrogen economy, developing widespread hydrogen supply systems are vitally important. A large number of technological options exist and are still in development for hydrogen production, storage, distribution…, which cause various pathways for supplying hydrogen. Besides the technical factors, there are other effective parameters such as cost, operability, reliability, environmental impacts, safety and social implications that should be considered when assessing the different pathways as optimal and viable long-term alternatives. To aid this decision-making process, we have developed a generic optimization-based model for the long-range energy planning and design of future hydrogen supply systems. By applying Linear Dynamic Programming techniques, the model is capable of identifying optimal investment strategies and integrated supply system configurations from the many alternatives. Also, the environmental impacts of hydrogen supply system can be evaluated through scenario analysis. The features and capabilities of the model are illustrated through application to Iran as a case study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years there have been many efforts to develop a hydrogen energy system in Iran. For instance, the Iranian fuel cell steering committee conducted a project and determined some targets to implement hydrogen in different sectors, especially transportation. In this paper, the costs of building stations and the levelized cost of hydrogen for two types of stations, SMR and electrolysis, with various sizes and capacity factors have been investigated. Also, in the case of electrolysis, hydrogen cost sensitivity to the price of electricity has been examined. According to the cost analysis conducted here, it is understandable that hydrogen costs ($/kg) vary considerably based on station type, size, and capacity factor. Hydrogen production from natural gas results in lower costs ($3–7/kg H2) in comparison to electrolysis ($6–10/kg H2). Hydrogen cost would decrease by increasing the capacity factor, but in the case of electrolysis, from a specific capacity factor, hydrogen cost begins to rise; this is due to the trade off between the capacity factor and the price of electricity in various load zones. In general, hydrogen costs in Iran are estimated from 3 to 10.5$/kg, however a strategy for producing even lower cost hydrogen in the early years of hydrogen implementation, is proposed, which all together indicates that hydrogen could be an economical alternative fuel to substitute gasoline in the Iran''s transportation sector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper analyzes the impact of water and emission limitations on expansion planning of thermal power plants (TPPs), in Iran. TPPs need considerable amount of water for their cooling system. In Iran, water crisis of recent years has made it impossible to operate existing steam power plants in some areas, during summer season. This paper considers water availability and cost in generation expansion planning (GEP) of Iran. There are different types of water resources such as rivers, dams, treated wastewater, seawater, seawater transmission line, saline groundwater, and groundwater. Considering available capacity of water resources in each area and sorting their extraction cost in ascending order, some water consumption cost curves are derived. For this purpose, data of about 200 water resources located in different regions of Iran are analyzed. Provided GEP model includes a 15-years planning horizon and analyzes several scenarios of water availability. Although, in low water price scenarios, air temperature and height above sea level have more impact on placement of TPPs, it is different for high water price scenarios. Also, the effect of emission-related policies on GEP decisions is analyzed by considering various fuel types of TPPs, penalties for emissions, and global restrictions on greenhouse gas production. • Proposes an optimization model for generation expansion planning (GEP) that considers environmental constraints. • Analyzes the availability and price of different water resources in Iran and their effects on GEP decisions. • Examines the impact of temperature and height above sea level, on the siting of thermal power plants in Iran. • Considers decarbonization policies in the expansion planning of power plants in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]