Integrating offshore wind energy into the optimal deployment of a hydrogen supply chain: a case study in Occitanie

The urgent need to mitigate climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels highlights green hydrogen as a key component of the global energy transition. This study assesses the feasibility of producing hydrogen offshore using wind energy, focusing on economic and environmental aspects. Offshore wind energy offers several advantages: access to water for electrolysis, potentially lower hydrogen export costs compared to electricity, and storage systems that stabilize wind energy output. However, significant challenges remain, including the high costs of storage solutions, capital expenditures (CAPEX), and operational costs (OPEX). A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model optimizes the production units, storage, and distribution processes. A case study in southern France examines hydrogen production from a 150 MW floating wind farm. While hydrogen produced from offshore wind ranks among the most environmentally friendly, its costs remain high, and production volumes fall short of meeting regional demand. The findings emphasize the need to optimize power capacities and explore hybrid renewable systems to better balance economic and environmental trade-offs, enhancing offshore wind�s competitiveness in hydrogen production and its role in the global energy transition.