Integrated analysis of a hydrogen-based port: Energy, exergy, environmental, and economic sustainability

This study assesses the sustainability of a hydrogen-based port in a socioeconomically challenged region by analyzing three hydrogen production chains: Blue, Green, and Brown. Using energy, exergy, environmental, and economic metrics, the study specifically evaluates the depletion number, a measures of resource recovery and recycling. The Green chain, powered by solar energy, achieves the highest hydrogen production efficiency (98%), the lowest CO2 emissions (0.67 Mt), and highest depletion number (0.72), indicating superior resource recovery. The Blue chain, utilizing natural gas, shows high efficiency (91%) but emits significant CO2 (221.85 Mt) and has a lower depletion number (0.24), signifying less efficient resource use. The Brown chain, processing municipal solid waste, demonstrates moderate efficiencies with a depletion number of 0.27. Overall the Green chain is the most sustainable and profitable, while the Blue and Brown chains provide valuable insights for resource management and government policy-making.