Calculation of carbon footprint in the value chain of hydrogen production and fuel cell, and analysis and future study of this technology in Iran

There is ample evidence of climate change that suggests that humanity should be concerned about life and the future of the planet. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached its highest level and is still increasing rapidly. The energy sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The use of renewable energy enhances energy security and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. Calculating the footprint of stored carbon when using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and considering the environmental benefits and the consequent low cost of this type of energy to the environment can show more clearly the positive effects of using renewable energy. Hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum as an important part of a clean and secure energy future. In this study, emissions were investigated in six scenarios by collecting CO2 emission information from possible hydrogen production methods: natural gas reforming, electrolysis, and biomass. The first scenario was a reform by electricity from natural gas, with emissions being the highest in terms of 9.11 kg of carbon dioxide and biomass being the lowest in terms of 0.113 kg of carbon dioxide. In this regard, two types of solar and wind renewable electricity and two types of non-renewable electricity, including natural gas and diesel carriers, were considered. The economic evaluation of three methods of hydrogen production were compared considering the cost price of fossil fuels, grid electricity, solar, and wind renewable electricity in Iran. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions from gasoline passenger cars, diesel buses, passenger cars, and hydrogen buses were estimated and compared. Finally, according to the studies conducted, the effective factors and driving forces of the future of the hydrogen industry and fuel cell vehicles in Iran were extracted and three scenarios for the future of this industry in the country were discussed. In this study, environmental assessment was considered as the primary goal for selecting an appropriate hydrogen production method, but the economic assessment was also considered as a secondary goal.