Feasibility of renewable energy based green hydrogen production and transportation for refueling stations to meet the Oman Vision (2040)

Today, climate change caused by the global warming is a real big challenge especially, when the economy is persistent on fossil fuels. This has led the World to clear the strategies and take appropriate actions for decarbonization of sectors rich in carbon emission at first instance. Similarly, Ministry of Energy and Minerals Oman has cleared the aims to take stringent actions for decarbonization of whole system by 2040 as the Sultanate is highly dependent on fossil fuel economy. Considering the significant pillar of world energy system, developing the hydrogen (H2) value chain leading to its economic development is utmost necessity in Oman. Thus, the prime focus of this project is to assess the renewable energy based green H2 production and storage technologies for the sectors (Industrial and Oil and Gas) rich in carbon emissions for the development of sustainable energy solutions comply with Oman vision 2040. Investigation of such study is important and basic need that can help take necessary steps towards the implementation of carbon neutral technologies i.e., H2 economy. Currently, water electrolysis based H2 production is getting significant importance due to its cleanliness and potential role to decarbonize the existing systems however, cost of electrolysis unit has high fluctuations due to the certain factors such as type of electrolyzer, varying cost of electricity, lack in progress of technological improvements, and high energy requirement. Consequently, H2 storage and transportation has some serious concerns when the aim is to transport H2 over long distances. Thus the issues associated with storage and transportation of H2 should be identified and resolved to fulfill aforementioned needs. The proposed project can help address the challenges and provide basis in terms of technological, cost estimation, and environmental aspects for the development of H2 economy. Identification of comparative techno-economic analysis can help providing the figures to choose appropriate technology. Multi-criteria decision (MCD) analysis further helps to consider the simultaneous effects of technical, economic, and environmental impacts in deciding and building a H2 economy in Sultanate. The success of this project will help open new ways to make progress in a technology development, environmental sustainability, worldwide recognition to solve global warming issues, and providing better life to the locals.