Sizing, economic analysis and optimisation of green hydrogen refuelling stations in a cluster of small islands

To mitigate the emission of greenhouses in the mobility sector in remote areas, this study presents a comprehensive sizing and techno-economic analysis of hydrogen refuelling stations in remote islands taking into consideration economic uncertainties. The study is carried out under different scenarios of the hydrogen market penetration level in the mobility sector. For each scenario, the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH), the carbon footprint and the mitigated carbon penalty are evaluated. The project's total cost for each market penetration is modelled as a multi-index linear programming problem, and the optimal route for refuelling on a monthly basis is obtained. Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modelling System (AIMMS) was used for the deterministic and robust optimisation as well as the economic analysis of the system. According to the results obtained by the deterministic solution, the levelised cost of hydrogen ranges between 15.64 €/kg to 27.80 €/kg, while for the robust solution, the levelized cost of hydrogen ranges between 21.23 €/kg to 38.07 €/kg. The carbon penalty avoided ranges between €471,000 for the minimum and €4,750,000 for the maximum market penetration. To obtain a 3 €/kg price of hydrogen fuel at the pump (equivalent to the gasoline price in the region), the subsidy needed ranges between 94% for the minimum and 87% for the maximum market penetration. In terms of energy security, equity, reliability, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, the proposed green hydrogen network surpasses conventional fuels. • Hydrogen refuelling station • Remote Interconnected Islands • Techno-economic analysis • Hydrogen production from excess energy from wind park • Deterministic optimisation analysis • Robust optimisation analysis