Comparative techno-economic analysis of hydrogen supply in China: Green hydrogen vs green electricity

Green hydrogen is pivotal for transforming China's clean energy systems, yet analyses of various hydrogen carriers and green electricity transmission remain limited. This study investigates cost dynamics of hydrogen supply across six pathways from production to refueling within China, encompassing carriers such as liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid organic hydrogen carriers, methanol (CH3OH), and ammonia (NH3). These pathways are categorized into the green hydrogen pathway (I) and the green electricity pathway (II), wherein electricity is delivered from renewable-rich regions to demand centers for on-site hydrogen production, considering the potential risk associated with the storage and transportation of large volume hydrogen. The results show that pathway (II) yields the lowest cost at 12.07 USD/kg. In contrast, CH3OH is the most expensive option at 30.70 USD/kg. Operational expenditures are primary drivers of production costs, while capital expenditures significantly influence the conversion and delivery phases, especially for NH3 and LH2. Transportation distance critically affects overall cost. Pathway (II) remains economical over 500–5000 km. LH2 is preferred beyond 700 km; NH3 surpasses LOHC at 2150 km and pipeline at 4300 km. Furthermore, longer annual operating hours and shorter transportation distances can greatly reduce costs. For example, CH3OH cost drops by 92% as operating hours increase from 1000 to 5000 and distance decreases from 5000 to 500 km. Regional cost variations are primarily attributed to the spatial distribution of renewable energy resources. These findings highlight the importance of developing region-specific hydrogen delivery strategies and upgrading infrastructure to enhance cost-efficiency across the hydrogen supply chain.