The energy and environmental systems analysis discipline evaluates the role of different energy carriers in the energy system based on energy systems modelling and environmental systems analysis. Hydrogen can play an important role in a future sustainable low-carbon energy system. However, there are challenges to overcome during the transition period from today until used in large scale. Key factors are the amount of excess electricity, availability of infrastructure, capital cost of fuel cells and electrolysers, the lower round-trip efficiency compared to direct electrification, geopolitical and limitation risks connected to the use of scare metals, the relatively costly hydrogen distribution and storage and issues related to consumers’ preferences.
Key research challenges connected to the role of hydrogen in a future sustainable low-carbon energy system are to detect and model potential show-stoppers from for instance resource limitations, cost-competitiveness, environmental performance, social acceptance, synergies and competition with other energy sectors, the supply potential, localization and hydrogen infrastructure and storage demand, interlink transport hydrogen and future systems scenarios, predict and optimize policy and regulations of transport and society in general.
Publications
- Review of electrofuel feasibility - Cost and environmental impact, Grahn M, Malmgren E, Korberg AD, Taljegard M, Anderson JE, Brynolf S, Hansson J, Skov IR, Wallington TJ (2022)
- Review of electrofuel feasibility - Prospects for road, ocean, and air transport, Brynolf S, Hansson J, Anderson JE, Skov IR, Wallington TJ, Grahn M, Korberg AD, Malmgren E, Taljegård M (2022)
- How replacing fossil fuels with electrofuels could influence the demand for renewable energy and land area, Rennuit-Mortensen, A. W., Rasmussen, K. D., & Grahn, M. (2023)
- How do variations in ship operation impact the techno-economic feasibility and environmental performance of fossil-free fuels? A life cycle study, Kanchiralla, F. M., Brynolf, S., Olsson, T., Ellis, J., Hansson, J., & Grahn, M. (2023)
- Navigating unchartered waters: Overcoming barriers to low-emission fuels in Swedish maritime cargo transport, Malmgren, E., Styhre, L., Van Der Holst, J., Brynolf, S. (2023)
- Are decarbonization strategies municipality-dependent? Generating rural road transport pathways through an iterative process in the Swedish landscape, de Oliveira Laurin M, Selvakkumaran S, Ahlgren E.O, Grahn M (2024)
- Role of biofuels, electro-fuels, and blue fuels for shipping: environmental and economic life cycle considerations, Kanchiralla F M, Brynolf S, Mjelde A (2024)
- Liquid fuels: Flexibility with low environmental impact, Brynolf S, Grahn M (2024)
