A STUDY OF THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF HYDROGEN TRANSPORTATION, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT POTENTIAL STORAGE AND PRODUCTION SITES

In the context of the global transition to low-carbon energy sources, one of the main challenges is ensuring the efficient transportation of hydrogen through main gas pipelines. This paper is dedicated to calculating the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) for three types of main gas pipelines: Vyshachkivske, Izmailyvske, and Tereblyanske. The main objective of the research is to assess the economic efficiency of different pipeline options, considering capital and operational costs, as well as analyzing the impact of technical parameters on the overall cost of hydrogen transportation. A comprehensive approach was used, which includes the calculation of capital expenses (CAPEX), operational expenses (OPEX), compressor station costs, and the application of standard methods for determining LCOH. The calculations showed that the most economically viable option is the Tereblyanske pipeline, which is due to the shorter pipeline length and optimized compressor station expenses. It was determined that to achieve optimal economic results, it is essential to consider not only technical characteristics but also regional factors such as the distance between compressor stations and the volume of hydrogen transportation. The results allow for conclusions regarding the feasibility and efficiency of investments in the creation of main pipelines for hydrogen transportation and provide recommendations for further research in this field. Keywords: hydrogen energy, hydrogen transportation, hydrogen storage, salt structures, main pipelines, LCOH.