Global Energy System Research Articles

Tritium Opportunities and Challenges for Fusion Developments Worldwide—CNL and UKAEA View

The commercial generation of electricity and high-temperature thermal energy via fusion technology remains one of the promising alternatives to help meet the challenging targets to decarbonize the global energy system. Fusion technology can play a significant role as part of the long-term switch away from carbon-based fuels for electricity and heat due to high energy output, usage of abundant fuel that can be made available without environmental degradation, and avoidance of long-lived and toxic transuranics. Many countries have their own fusion research and development programs, while large research efforts are being undertaken in multicountry collaborations, such as ITER. Recently, fairly new (semi-) commercial organizations have been successful in initiating independent development programs funded by government grants and private investments. Different fusion reactor technologies still share many challenges, with one of the major issues being the management of the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel cycle and associated auxiliary systems. These different fusion technology developers could benefit immensely from existing and available DT expertise, allowing them to focus primarily on the physics and mechanical aspects of their reactor technologies while finding support for common tritium technological challenges through collaboration. As world-leading experts in DT technology, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency(UKAEA), are well positioned to support such needs of the fusion industry. This paper broadly explores the worldwide DT challenges, identifies opportunities where tritium expertise is key to the development of fusion infrastructure, and presents a view of how CNL and UKAEA are addressing these opportunities for the various fusion developers. This paper presents a holistic view that may be informative to future tritium roadmap and decision-making exercises conducted within the community.

Global trading of renewable electricity-based fuels and chemicals to enhance the energy transition across all sectors towards sustainability

Renewable electricity-based fuels and chemicals are expected to play an ever-growing role in future sustainable energy systems. e-Fuels and e-chemicals are crucial for the defossilisation of hard-to-abate segments in long-distance aviation and marine, as well as industrial feedstocks. This study evaluates the role of e-fuels and e-chemicals in a global energy system transition from 2030 to 2050 by analysing the demand for these fuels, potential for production, and costs. Furthermore, the global trading potential of e-fuels and corresponding benefits are assessed. The wide availability of renewable resources enables the diversification of energy markets compared to the current concentrated fossil fuels trade, leading to lower volumes of traded e-products than currently traded volumes of fossil fuels. South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Middle East and North Africa regions emerge as important exporters of e-fuels and e-chemicals. This study estimates that 23–32% of the total demand will be traded, depending on the type of e-fuel and e-chemical. Results indicate that global trade will reduce the global average levelised cost of e-fuels and e-chemicals by 4.4–6.8% in 2050, with some regions yielding a reduction of up to 38% compared to a self-supply scenario. Globally, the trading of e-fuels and e-chemicals is estimated to reduce total energy costs by 136 b€ annually. The risk of supply disruptions to importers can be mitigated with diversified portfolio strategies combining different exporting regions. Global trade benefits both importers, as the costs of e-fuels and e-chemicals are reduced, and exporters that benefit from additional income, employment, and tax revenues.

Energy transition through bioelectricity in Pakistan: Implications for limiting global mean temperature below 1.5°C

AbstractClimate change threats demand unprecedented economic shifts around the world, including a fundamental transformation of the global energy system. An energy transition is underway in most regions, predominantly in the power sector. This research depicts the energy transition pathway for achieving 100% renewable energy systems through bioenergy in Pakistan. The growth rate of 20%, 30%, and 40% in biomass projects were considered for the study period 2023 to 2053 using the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) software. It presents a technology‐rich, multi‐sectoral and cost‐optimal energy transition pathway for limiting global mean temperature below 1.5°C. The results revealed that Pakistan's electricity generation undergoes a rapidly evolving transition from predominantly fossil fuels 62.1% in 2023 to 81.3% renewables in 2053, and entirely zero CO2 emissions by 2060. Hydro source is costly, wind and solar sources are seasonal so biomass emerges as the major electricity supply source in a cost optimal energy transition of Pakistan. Share of biomass is increasing from a mere 0.81% in 2023 to around 9.44% by 2053 under the 20% growth rate, which then increase to 39.67% by 2053 under the 30% growth rate and further increases to 78.33% by 2053 under the 40% growth rate. Pakistan contributes 0.8% of the global carbon footprint, but we are among the 10 most climate‐stressed countries on the planet in 2023 so this study helps to reduce cumulative CO2 emissions from 151.63 million metric tons to 8.90 million metric tons from 2023 to 2053 across the power, heat, transport, and desalination sectors.

Forecasting Development of Green Hydrogen Production Technologies Using Component-Based Learning Curves

Hydrogen energy is expected to become one of the most efficient ways to decarbonize global energy and transportation systems. Green hydrogen production costs are currently high but are likely to decline due to the economy of scale and learning-by-doing effects. The purpose of this paper is to forecast future green hydrogen costs based on the multicomponent learning curves approach. The study investigates the learning curves for the main components in hydrogen value chains: electrolyzers and renewable energy. Our findings estimate the learning rates in the production of PEM and AE electrolyzers as 4%, which is quite conservative compared to other studies. The estimations of learning rates in renewable energy electricity generation range from 14.28 to 14.44% for solar-based and 7.35 to 9.63% for wind-based production. The estimation of the learning rate in green hydrogen production ranges from 4% to 10.2% due to uncertainty in data about the cost structure. The study finds that government support is needed to accelerate electrolysis technology development and achieve decarbonization goals by 2050.

Transient Solid Oxide Cell Reactor Model Used in rSOC Mode-Switching Analysis and Power Split Control of an SOFC-Battery Hybrid

Defossilization of the global energy system requires a transition towards intermittent renewable energy sources and approaches that enable efficient conversion of primary energy sources into electrical energy. Due to their high efficiency in converting chemical into electrical energy and vice versa, solid oxide cell (SOC) systems provide solutions for both of these aspects. However, mode transitions in SOC operation require operating strategies to ensure that thermal gradients in the reactors are suppressed. In this study, two researched cases utilizing SOC’s are presented, based on simulation studies and experiments with an SOC multi-reactor module. The transient module model is validated in 75 kW electrolysis and polygeneration, and applied to analyze the effect of internal steam methane reforming on the temperature profile of the reactors. Subsequently, it is coupled with a validated Li-ion battery model, to test a rule-based power split control strategy suitable for a demand curve characteristic of a ship.

WO3 Thin-Film Optical Gas Sensors Based on Gasochromic Effect towards Low Hydrogen Concentrations.

Hydrogen gas sensors have recently attracted increased interest due to the explosive nature of H2 and its strategic importance in the sustainable global energy system. In this paper, the tungsten oxide thin films deposited by innovative gas impulse magnetron sputtering have been investigated in terms of their response to H2. It was found that the most favourable annealing temperature in terms of sensor response value, as well as response and recovery times, was achieved at 673 K. This annealing process caused a change in the WO3 cross-section morphology from a featureless and homogenous form to a rather columnar one, but still maintaining the same surface homogeneity. In addition to that, the full-phase transition from an amorphous to nanocrystalline form occurred with a crystallite size of 23 nm. It was found that the sensor response to only 25 ppm of H2 was equal to 6.3, which is one of the best results presented in the literature so far of WO3 optical gas sensors based on a gasochromic effect. Moreover, the results of the gasochromic effect were correlated with the changes in the extinction coefficient and the concentration of the free charge carriers, which is also a novel approach to the understanding of the gasochromic phenomenon.

Dynamic spillover and systemic importance analysis of global clean energy companies: A tail risk network perspective

This paper conducts tail risk spillover and systemic importance analysis based on the firm-level data of global clean energy system. The tail risk network is constructed based on the ΔCoVaR method, where the correlation is calculated from three perspectives: market, sector and institution. Moreover, the systematically important institutions are identified through a PageRank-based approach. We find that two industries contribute the largest in the risk transmission process, and most of the identified important institutions come from these industries as well. Also, it is observed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict would render different impacts on the risk contagion.

Identifying policy areas for the transition of the transportation sector

Being the only energy sector where emissions are still at 1990 levels, the German transportation sector requires rapid decarbonization to achieve ambitious climate targets. Policy makers need to put the framework in place which enables and supports this transition. This work analyzes which policy areas should be targeted considering interactions with and implications for the entire energy system. The Global Energy System Model (GENeSYS-MOD) is used to compute 400 sensitivities which showcase the effectiveness of specific transport and energy system related policies. Shifting transportation demand to less energy and emission intensive modes or avoiding it in the first place shows the strongest effect on a number of key metrics. Primary energy consumption, emissions, and fleet size can all be reduced through a combination of electrification and shift towards public transport and long-distance trains. Carbon prices also showcase significant effects while further affecting the other energy sectors. The results suggest that in the intermediate term, modal shift and demand reduction can help with reducing transportation related emissions, while carbon prices are effective after 2040.

A Discussion on CO2 Sequestration in the UCG Space Based upon the Review of the UCG Residue Physicochemical Properties

The strategic goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” has promoted further reform of the global energy system. Additionally, coal is still the dominate form of energy consumption. Underground coal gasification, which changes the method of coal utilization, is an important way to execute clean coal development and clean utilization, and is also an effective method for the development of deep coal resources, belonging to the technical category of clean energy resources. Compared with the traditional method of coal mining surface gasification, it has obvious advantages of being economical, safe and environmentally friendly. After high-temperature gasification, the physicochemical properties of the residues in the three reaction zones of UCG are significantly different from those of the raw coal. Therefore, this paper summarizes the transformation characteristics and the evolution of organic matter and minerals during UCG. Moreover, the paper analyzes the transformation of pore structure caused by UCG and its influencing mechanism, and discusses the possible utilization of UCG residue based on its physicochemical properties. The results show that: (1) after the UCG, the gasification center residue was mainly composed of acidic and alkaline oxides, accompanied by glassy silica that wrapped the carbon residue, which was located far from the gasification center. Due to the weakening of the oxygen supply, the chemical reaction changed from oxidation to reduction, and the influence of baking on the pyrolysis of coal and minerals gradually weakened. Furthermore, the organic carbon content in the residue gradually increased, whereas the inorganic mineral content decreased. Additionally, the thermal decomposition declined. In the boundary between the dry distillation zone and the raw coal, the organic skeleton of coal and inorganic minerals remained basically unchanged. (2) It is suitable for carbonation to sequestrate CO2 for the oxidation residue after the oxidation process because the residue was composed of slag, whereas the baked roof rock fell off. It is suitable for high-pressure adsorption to sequestrate CO2 in the reduction coal due to the porous and high specific surface of the pyrolysis coal. Some pyrolytic minerals were conducive to mineralization to sequestrate CO2. The dry distillated coal had higher specific surface area and volume of pores in the dry distillation zone than those of the raw coal, whereas the values were lower than those of the reduction zone. The pyrolysis of minerals was not obvious, and the carbonation of CO2 was relatively low. The study points out that CO2 sequestration in the UCG space is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the dual carbon peak and neutralization targets. The use of UCG cavities for CO2 sequestration is important for achieving the strategic goal of carbon neutrality. However, the current research on CO2 sequestration using UCG cavities is at the theoretical stage, further field tests are lacking and the commercialization process of CO2 sequestration has not yet been realized.

Temporally detailed modeling and analysis of global net zero energy systems focusing on variable renewable energy

This study newly develops a recursive-dynamic global energy model with an hourly temporal resolution for electricity and hydrogen balances, aiming to assess the role of variable renewable energy (VRE) in a carbon-neutral world. This model, formulated as a large-scale linear programming model (with 500 million each of variables and constraints), calculates the energy supply for 100 regions by 2050. The detailed temporal resolution enables the model to incorporate the variable output of VRE and system integration options, such as batteries, water electrolysis, curtailment, and the flexible charging of battery electric vehicles. Optimization results suggest that combing various technical options suitable for local energy situations is critical to reducing global CO2 emissions cost-effectively. Not only VRE but also CCS-equipped gas-fired and biomass-fired power plants largely contribute to decarbonizing power supply. The share of VRE in global power generation in 2050 is estimated to be 57% in a cost-effective case. The results also imply economic challenges for an energy system based on 100% renewable energy. For example, the average mitigation cost in 2050 is 69USD/tCO2 in the cost-effective case, while it increases to 139USD/tCO2 in the 100% renewable case. The robustness of this argument is tested by sensitivity analyses.

PyPSA-Earth. A new global open energy system optimization model demonstrated in Africa

Macro-energy system modelling is used by decision-makers to steer the global energy transition towards an affordable, sustainable and reliable future. Closed-source models are the current standard for most policy and industry decisions. However, open models have proven to be competitive alternatives that promote science, robust technical analysis, collaboration and transparent policy decision-making. Yet, two issues slow the adoption: open models are often designed with particular geographic scope in mind, thus hindering synergies from collaborating, or are based on low spatially resolved data, limiting their use. Here we introduce PyPSA-Earth, an open-source global energy system model with data in high spatial and temporal resolution. It enables large-scale collaboration by providing a tool that can model the world’s energy system or any subset of it. The model is suitable for operational as well as combined generation, storage and transmission expansion studies. In this study, the novel power system capabilities of PyPSA-Earth are highlighted and demonstrated. The model provides two main features: (1) customizable data extraction and preparation with global coverage and (2) a PyPSA energy modelling framework integration. The data includes electricity demand, generation and medium to high-voltage networks from open sources, yet additional data can be further integrated. A broad range of clustering and grid meshing strategies help adapt the model to computational and practical needs. Data validation for the entire African continent is performed and the optimization features are tested with a 2060 net-zero planning study for Nigeria. The demonstration shows that the presented developments can build a highly detailed power system model for energy planning studies to support policy and technical decision-making. We anticipate that PyPSA-Earth can represent an open reference model for system planning, and we welcome joining forces to address the challenges of the energy transition together.

Comparison and evaluation of mega watts proton exchange membrane fuel cell combined heat and power system under different waste heat recovery methods

The proportion of renewable energy has emerged in the global energy structure and a range of clean energy resources and technologies are required for deep decarbonization in the global energy system, especially low-carbon hydrogen. Motivated by the net zero goal, this work proposed two proton exchange membrane fuel cell combined heat and power (PEMFC-CHP) systems with liquid cooling and phase change heat pump (PCHP) cooling, respectively. It compared its adaptivity with that of liquid cooling in terms of the MW-class thermal demand in different cities in China to provide sufficient energy but at a lower cost. The optimal system and operating conditions for different cities are determined by energy, economic and environmental analyses. The results show that the total efficiency of the PEMFC-CHP system with PCHP cooling is significantly improved at the expense of electricity efficiency compared with conventional liquid cooling. The thermal efficiency has been improved from 48.66% to 53.90% with the expense of the drop of electricity efficiency of 1.96% at the current density of 1A·cm−2. It proves that liquid cooling is more suitable for places whose winter temperature is above zero for it saves cost. While PCHP cooling presents better adaptivity in colder zones (below zero) for it can sufficiently meet the high thermal demand. The PCHP cooling in the extremely cold regions can reduce the cost by 2.47 × 106 $/year.

Modified orca predation algorithm: developments and perspectives on global optimization and hybrid energy systems

This paper provides a novel, unique, and improved optimization algorithm called the modified Orca Predation Algorithm (mOPA). The mOPA is based on the original Orca Predation Algorithm (OPA), which combines two enhancing strategies: Lévy flight and opposition-based learning. The mOPA method is proposed to enhance search efficiency and avoid the limitations of the original OPA. This mOPA method sets up to solve the global optimization issues. Additionally, its effectiveness is compared with various well-known metaheuristic methods, and the CEC’20 test suite challenges are used to illustrate how well the mOPA performs. Case analysis demonstrates that the proposed mOPA method outperforms the benchmark regarding computational speed and yields substantially higher performance than other methods. The mOPA is applied to ensure that all load demand is met with high reliability and the lowest energy cost of an isolated hybrid system. The optimal size of this hybrid system is determined through simulation and analysis in order to service a tiny distant location in Egypt while reducing costs. Photovoltaic panels, biomass gasifier, and fuel cell units compose the majority of this hybrid system’s configuration. To confirm the mOPA technique’s superiority, its outcomes have been compared with the original OPA and other well-known metaheuristic algorithms.

Global Hydrogen and Synfuel Exchanges in an Emission-Free Energy System

This study investigates the global allocation of hydrogen and synfuels in order to achieve the well below 2 °C, preferably 1.5 °C target set in the Paris Agreement. For this purpose, TIMES Integrated Assessment Model (TIAM), a global energy system model is used. In order to investigate global hydrogen and synfuel flows, cost potential curves are aggregated and implemented into TIAM, as well as demand technologies for the end use sectors. Furthermore, hydrogen and synfuel trades are established using liquid hydrogen transport (LH2), and both new and existing technologies for synfuels are implemented. To represent a wide range of possible future events, four different scenarios are considered with different characteristics of climate and security of supply policies. The results show that in the case of climate policy, the renewable energies need tremendous expansion. The final energy consumption is shifting towards the direct use of electricity, while certain demand technologies (e.g., aviation and international shipping) require hydrogen and synfuels for full decarbonization. Due to different security of supply policies, the global allocation of hydrogen and synfuel production and exports is shifting, while the 1.5 °C target remains feasible in the different climate policy scenarios. Considering climate policy, Middle East Asia is the preferred region for hydrogen export. For synfuel production, several regions are competitive, including Middle East Asia, Mexico, Africa, South America and Australia. In the case of security of supply policies, Middle East Asia is sharing the export volume with Africa, while only minor changes can be seen in the synfuel supply.

The clean-energy challenge

The Issues and Events item “Electrification of cars and trucks likely won’t disrupt the grid” (Physics Today, April 2022, page 22) by David Kramer is timely and accurate as far as it goes. But by omitting mention of nonhighway transportation, and the rest of the economy for that matter, it unintentionally makes the growth in electricity usage on the path to decarbonization of our economy seem to be nearly business as usual. Several recent studies, however, show that a carbon-neutral US economy in 2050 will require around four times as much electricity as we use today.1–31. E. Larson et al., Net-Zero America: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts, Princeton U. (29 October 2021).2. M. Ram et al., Global Energy System Based on 100% Renewable Energy: Power, Heat, Transport and Desalination Sectors, Lappeenranta U. Technology and Energy Watch Group (March 2019).3. J. H. Williams et al., AGU Adv. 2, e2020AV000284 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1029/2020AV000284Synthesis of chemical fuel for aviation, military, and nonhighway vehicles will require more electricity than the electrification of highway vehicles discussed in Kramer’s story. The electrification of homes, businesses, and industry—including synthesis of hydrocarbon feedstocks—will require twice as much again. That prodigious increase in generation, transmission, and, hopefully, storage is most certainly different from what was needed to support the introduction of air conditioning.The new electric grid will be much larger and will operate very differently from the old one. Power will be transmitted longer distances from regions where sunlight and wind are abundant. Roughly half that power will be for battery charging and a massive new electrochemical industry, both amenable to load management to match the remaining intermittence of renewable power supply. The tendency to treat decarbonization of economic sectors in isolation and thereby miss the big picture is in part a reflection of the incremental approach in our policy. To plan and finance the greatest industrial build-out since the railroad boom of the late 19th century, we must have a comprehensive policy that sets clear goals and brings long-term investor confidence. And we need it soon. We only have 30 years to complete the project!ReferencesSection:ChooseTop of pageReferences <<1. E. Larson et al., Net-Zero America: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts, Princeton U. (29 October 2021). Google Scholar2. M. Ram et al., Global Energy System Based on 100% Renewable Energy: Power, Heat, Transport and Desalination Sectors, Lappeenranta U. Technology and Energy Watch Group (March 2019). Google Scholar3. J. H. Williams et al., AGU Adv. 2, e2020AV000284 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1029/2020AV000284, Google ScholarCrossref© 2023 American Institute of Physics.

Multi compression–expansion process for chemical energy conversion: Transformation of methane to unsaturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen

With the global energy system moving towards renewable energies, there is an increasing demand for flexible conversion processes which can cope with the temporally and locally fluctuating nature of energy supply and energy demand. Promising candidate processes are based on coupled chemical/energy conversion. In this work, the pyrolytic conversion of methane to valuable high-energy content substances like hydrogen and unsaturated hydrocarbons by the compression/expansion process of a piston engine is investigated. In particular, the potential of running this conversion in a multi-compression–expansion (MCE) mode where a gas sample is subject to multiple compression–expansion strokes, is assessed. The methane conversion and target species yields of this multi-compression mode relative to a single compression–expansion mode are assessed. Experimental studies with a rapid compression–expansion machine are used for this. The experiments are complemented by numerical simulations, which help to interpret the experimental findings. We found that both conversion and target species yields can be increased significantly by the multi-compression–expansion processes relative to a single compression–expansion. For instance, at typical engine operation conditions, ten compression–expansion cycles increase the methane conversion by a factor of three to four (from approx. 15 % to 68 %), the hydrogen yield by a factor of five, and the unsaturated hydrocarbon yields by a factor of three, compared to a single compression–expansion process. The results encourage considering a new role for piston-engines as work-to-chemical energy converters, in addition to their conventional heat-engine (chemical energy to work) operation.

Opportunities for the materials research community to support the development of the H2 economy

The goal of decarbonizing global energy systems by 2050 is a challenge of unprecedented scope and ambition. Hydrogen has been identified as an important enabler for this effort, but its precise role in the energy transition and future energy system remains unclear. The MRS Focus on Sustainability subcommittee sponsored a panel discussion on the roles of and materials needs associated with hydrogen in the energy transition. This commentary summarizes key elements from the panel discussion and addresses how the materials research community can engage more deeply with the H2 energy transition. The topics include inventing new materials with improved properties for advanced technologies, but also supporting the growth of a robust manufacturing base, improving materials corrosion mitigation, helping to de-risk supply chains, and training qualified workers across the industrial ecosystem to reinforce a culture of safety and support the evolution of commercial processes and business models.Graphical abstract

1ppm-detectable hydrogen gas sensors by using highly sensitive P+/N+ single-crystalline silicon thermopiles

Hydrogen (H2) is currently of strategic importance in the pursuit of a decarbonized, environmentally benign, sustainable global energy system; however, the explosive nature of H2 requires leakage monitoring to ensure safe application in industry. Therefore, H2 gas sensors with a high sensitivity and fast response across a wide concentration range are crucial yet technically challenging. In this work, we demonstrate a new type of MEMS differential thermopile gas sensor for the highly sensitive, rapid detection of trace H2 gas in air. Facilitated by a unique MIS fabrication technique, pairs of single-crystalline silicon thermopiles (i.e., sensing and reference thermopiles) are batch fabricated with high-density single-crystalline silicon thermocouples, yielding an outstanding temperature sensitivity at the sub-mK level. Such devices ensure the detection of miniscule temperature changes due to the catalytic reaction of H2 with a detection limit as low as ~1 ppm at an operating temperature of 120 °C. The MEMS differential thermopiles also exhibit a wide linear detection range (1 ppm-2%, more than four orders of magnitude) and fast response and recovery times of 1.9 s and 1.4 s, respectively, when detecting 0.1% H2 in air. Moreover, the sensors show good selectivity against common combustible gases and volatile organics, good repeatability, and long-term stability. The proposed MEMS thermopile H2 sensors hold promise for the trace detection and early warning of H2 leakage in a wide range of applications.

A Study on E-C Translation of BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2022 from the Perspective of Schema Theory

The global energy system is facing multiple challenges and uncertainties due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to achieve energy security and promote sustainable development, it is necessary to keep abreast of the latest information on global energy development. BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2022 has been an important way to get the latest international energy information and obtain authoritative data since 1951. Therefore, the translation of this report can help the government and relevant practitioners to get the latest data on energy development and decide the future direction of energy development. The Schema Theory is employed to analyze the difficulties in translating such technology texts in energy field from three aspects: linguistic schema, content schema and formal schema in the research. As a result, the study shows that schema theory can help translators decode and recombine the original information with the schema they have mastered, making the translation conform to the cognitive schema of the target readers.

Utilization of food waste for hydrogen-based power generation: Evidence from four cities in Ghana

Hydrogen gas will be an essential energy carrier for global energy systems in the future. However, non-renewable sources account for 96% of the production. Food wastes have high hydrogen generation potential, which can positively influence global production and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study evaluates the potential of food waste hydrogen-based power generation through biogas steam reforming and its environmental and economic impact in major Ghanaian cities. The results highlight that the annual hydrogen generation in Kumasi had the highest share of 40.73 kt, followed by Accra with 31.62 kt, while the least potential was in Tamale (3.41 kt). About 2073.38 kt was generated in all the major cities. Hydrogen output is predicted to increase from 54.61 kt in 2007 to 119.80 kt by 2030. Kumasi produced 977.54 kt of hydrogen throughout the 24-year period, followed by Accra with 759.76 kt, Secondi-Takoradi with 255.23 kt, and Tamale with 81.85 kt. According to the current study, Kumasi had the largest percentage contribution of hydrogen (47.15%), followed by Accra (36.60%), Secondi-Takoradi (12.31%), and Tamale (3.95%). The annual power generation potential in Kumasi and Accra was 73.24 GWh and 56.85 GWh. Kumasi and Accra could offset 8.19% and 6.36% of Ghana's electricity consumption. The total electricity potential of 3728.35 GWh could displace 17.37% of Ghana's power consumption. This electricity generated had a fossil diesel displacement capacity of 1125.90 ML and could reduce GHG emissions by 3060.20 kt CO2 eq. Based on the findings, the total GHG savings could offset 8.13% of Ghana's carbon emissions. The cost of power generation from hydrogen is $ 0.074/kWh with an annual positive net present value of $ 658.80 million and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 3.43. The study lays the foundation and opens policy windows for sustainable hydrogen power generation in Ghana and other African countries.