An Energy Supply Chain from Large Scale Photovoltaic Power Generation from Asian Cities to End Users in Japan

Abstract

This study proposes four possible energy supply chains from the megawatt class of photovoltaics (PV) installation in Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata, Beijing or Ulan Bator to end users in Tokyo Japan. In the proposed chains, the electricity generated from solar PV panels would be used to generate H2 through water electrolyzer. The H2 is then liquefied (or converted into organic hydride) and transported by tank truck for land as well as tanker for marine to Japan and finally supplied to fuel cells (FC) for power generation purpose. This study investigates the energy efficiencies of the proposed energy supply chain and the amount of CO2 emission in the transportation process from the four locations. As a result, it is found the largest amount of power could be generated in Ulan Batorthan in other cities with the same size of solar panel array, while it also emitted the largest amount of CO2 in the transportation process. The best energy efficiency is obtained in the case of Beijing. This study also revealed that the ratio of total energy consumption to calorific value of H2 after transportation in the case of H2 liquefaction is smaller than that in the case of organic hydride.