Abstract
The economy-wide decarbonization attempts to reverse the everlasting climate and environmental effects have propelled the energy transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives. Hydrogen has been identified as the fuel of the future in the US energy transition owing to its high energy density and clean emissions. However, massive end-to-end technology and infrastructure developments are required to realize a hydrogen-based economy. The current article investigates a concept of local hydrogen resiliency that can reduce infrastructure, storing, supply, and delivery challenges, life cycle emissions, and hydrogen costs. This article explores the techno-economic and life cycle feasibility of a regional hydrogen plant in El Paso, TX, which is away from operational service areas of any hydrogen hubs. A conceptual hydrogen plant with an integrated combined cycle is designed to meet the local hydrogen demand of this region. Locally available biomasses (pecan shells and cotton gin waste) were used as feedstock. The study investigates techno-economic (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) to analyze their costs and environmental impact. Gasifying pecan shells and cotton gin wastes obtained a net negative carbon footprint of 67.8 and 93.2 g CO2-eq, respectively, per megajoule of energy produced. The estimated capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) were $112.1 million and $24.79 million. The findings provide valuable information on the economic feasibility of a hydrogen plant running on waste feedstocks and expected emission impacts.
