Distributed waste-to-hydrogen refuelling station implementation in South Africa: Techno-economic-socio-political and environmental indications

The combustion of liquid fossil fuels in the transportation sector, disposal and incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in cities across the world. In an effort to decarbonize the transportation sector, the South African government is dedicated to advancing green transportation through the hydrogen economy. Waste-to-hydrogen production can simultaneously achieve the goals of green transportation and waste management through widespread availability of hydrogen refuelling stations. This study assesses the techno-economic and environmental viability of waste-to-hydrogen refuelling stations in five selected South Africa cities. The refuelling stations’ capacity was determined based on assumption that a 5 kg hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle is refuelled per day. The economic feasibility was premised on net present value (NPV), payback period (PBP), internal rate of return (IRR), and levelized cost of hydrogen refuelling (LCOHr). The environmental analysis was based on ecological efficiency and carbon emission reduction potential. Some of the main findings indicate that the City of Tshwane and City of Johannesburg have refuelling station capacities of 356 thousand kg/day H 2 and 395 thousand kg/day H 2 , respectively. Economically, the project is viable with positive NPV between 1.099 and 8.0563 Billion $, LCOHr in the range of 3.99 $/kg - 5.63 $/kg, PBP of 9.03–13.74 years and IRR of 18.16 %–39.88 %. An ecological efficiency of 99.982 % was obtained which indicates an environmentally friendly system with the potential to save 1439 million litres and 1563 million litres of diesel fuel and gasoline, respectively capable of preventing about 4 kilo-tons of CO 2 into the atmosphere annually. Sensitivity analysis indicates that reforming efficiency, selling price of hydrogen and station capacity are crucial parameters with great influence on the economic profitability of waste-to-hydrogen refuelling station. • The capacity of the refuelling station for the selected cities is determined. • The economic assessment for waste-to-hydrogen refuelling station is evaluated. • The refuelling station capacities range between 72 and 395 thousand kg/day H 2 . • Ecological efficiency of 99.982 % is obtained for the environmental assessment. • The social and policy implications of the refuelling station are presented.