Optimal Design of Hydrogen Supply Chain Infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This study develops an optimization framework for the hydrogen supply chain in Saudi Arabia, utilizing a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model executed in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The research aims to minimize total daily costs incurred through production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen across three evaluated scenarios: hydrogen compressed at 100 bar, at 200 bar, and in liquid form. Results indicate that the scenario utilizing pipelines for hydrogen compressed at 100 bar is the most cost-effective, primarily due to the absence of labor and fuel costs, which are typically incurred with other transportation modes. Additionally, the liquid hydrogen scenario demonstrates reduced transportation costs, benefiting from the higher density of liquid hydrogen which allows for the transport of larger volumes in fewer trips. Each scenario reveals significant trade-offs between capital and operational expenditures, emphasizing the need for strategic planning in the development of hydrogen supply infrastructure.