Analyzing the Techno-Economic Feasibility of a Solar Electrolysis Hydrogen Refueling Station in Island Environments: A Corsican Study

Abstract

After the Paris Agreement, which emphasizes the critical need for sustainable solutions to combat climate change, Corsica is actively seeking effective solutions through green hydrogen to ensure its energy transition, with a particular focus on heavy mobility, especially considering that energy costs on islands are higher than on the mainland. Our article presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of a hydrogen refueling station for buses, aiming to design a facility capable of producing 440 kg of hydrogen daily through on-site electrolysis of 4.5 MW. The total installation cost (TC) amounted to 22,324,617 Euros. The Levelized Hydrogen Cost (LHC) is calculated at 6.95 Euros per kg of hydrogen over a 20-year lifespan, confirming its cost-effectiveness compared to real case studies for fuel cell buses of the 3Emotion project. Our study also marks the beginning of large-scale hydrogen integration, starting with buses and extending to maritime mobility, contributing significantly to the transition to cleaner and sustainable mobility in islands.