Abstract
In order to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy technologies such as wind power and solar photovoltaic power systems have recently become more widespread. However, Japan as a nation faces high reliance on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation despite having great potential for further renewable energy development. The focus of this study examines untapped geographical locations in Japan’s northern most prefecture, Hokkaido, that possess large wind power potential. The possibility of exploiting this potential for the purpose of producing green hydrogen is explored. In particular, its integration with a year-round conversion of Kraft lignin into bio-oil from nearby paper pulp mills through a near critical water depolymerization process is examined. The proposed bio-oil and aromatic chemical production, as well as the process’ economics are calculated based upon the total available Kraft lignin in Hokkaido, including the magnitude of wind power capacity that would be required for producing the necessary hydrogen for such a large-scale process. Green hydrogen integration with other processes in Japan and in other regions is also discussed. Finally, the potential benefits and challenges are outlined from an energy policy point-of-view.
Highlights
Society has become highly reliant on fossil fuels to meet its energy needs, such as for electricity generation, transportation, and industry
This study aims to highlight the possibility of exploiting this large renewable energy potential to produce hydrogen, which in turn would allow the production of other valuable products such as fuels, commodity chemicals and raw materials that can result in economic growth and a reduced dependency on imports
While the original near critical water (NCW) study [36] delves into techno-economic analysis of a standard Kraft pulp mill, here we do not provide such estimations, as we exclusively focus on the potential for the conversion for all available Kraft lignin in Hokkaido
Summary
Society has become highly reliant on fossil fuels to meet its energy needs, such as for electricity generation, transportation, and industry. Considering our current understanding of climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, society is faced with the challenge of finding energy alternatives to replace fossil fuels [1]. Renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind power have been largely developed in the past decades These have reached a level of technological feasibility that makes them realistic alternatives to fossil fuel generated electricity in many cases [2]. Transportation of hydrogen in large quantities requires low temperatures and high pressures, requiring infrastructure with higher specifications when compared to, for example, natural gas
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