The role of hydrogen in the road transportation sector for a sustainable energy system: A case study of Korea

Abstract This study analyzes the impact of the introduction of hydrogen as fuel in the road transportation sector of Korea. Since this sector is completely dependent on petroleum and alternative technologies such as fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen is one alternative fuel that could meet the challenges that Korea is facing due to rising oil prices. This study uses a scenarios-based energy economic model including the hydrogen path way as a sub-energy system to explore the energy system of Korea through 2044. This study also constructs six scenarios consisting of three government policies concerning carbon dioxide reduction and two oil price scenarios in order to assess the impact on hydrogen as fuel in the road transportation sector. The results of this study show that in a particular case (high Btu tax and oil prices) the share of hydrogen would reach 76% of the road transportation sector, and hydrogen would be produced mainly from renewable and nuclear resources via electrolysis facilities. It is also revealed that hydrogen is effective at reducing carbon dioxide, improving energy efficiency and contributing to the energy security of Korea.

[1]  Amela Ajanovic,et al.  On the economics of hydrogen from renewable energy sources as an alternative fuel in transport sector in Austria , 2008 .

[2]  Socrates Kypreos,et al.  Intermediate steps towards the 2000 W society in Switzerland: An energy–economic scenario analysis , 2008 .

[3]  Chang-Bong Chung.  Energy info. Korea , 2003 .

[4]  J. Nitsch,et al.  The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems—a case study for Germany , 2005 .

[5]  Martin Wietschel,et al.  Development of European hydrogen infrastructure scenarios--CO2 reduction potential and infrastructure investment , 2006 .

[6]  Il Moon,et al.  Strategic design of hydrogen infrastructure considering cost and safety using multiobjective optimization , 2008 .

[7]  A. Dagoumas,et al.  Post-Kyoto energy consumption strategies for the Greek interconnected electric system , 2008 .

[8]  Duu-Jong Lee,et al.  Hydrogen economy in Taiwan and biohydrogen , 2008 .

[9]  D Gielen,et al.  Prospects for hydrogen and fuel cells , 2005 .

[10]  Bent Sørensen,et al.  Hydrogen as an energy carrier: Scenarios for future use of hydrogen in the Danish energy system , 2004 .

[11]  P. Meibom,et al.  Optimal investment paths for future renewable based energy systems—Using the optimisation model Balmorel , 2008 .

[12]  Young Hee Lee,et al.  Optimization of a hydrogen supply chain under demand uncertainty , 2008 .

[13]  Martin Wietschel,et al.  Early hydrogen user centres and corridors as part of the European hydrogen energy roadmap (HyWays) , 2008 .

[14]  The THESIS Model: An Assessment Tool for Transport and Energy Provision in the Hydrogen Economy , 2007 .

[15]  Ho Jun Song,et al.  Implication of CO2 capture technologies options in electricity generation in Korea , 2008 .

[16]  Ho Jun Song,et al.  Environmental and economic assessment of the chemical absorption process in Korea using the LEAP model , 2007 .

[17]  Han HyunSoo,et al.  Republic of Korea (2). , 2006 .

[18]  F. Gracceva,et al.  Hydrogen perspectives in Italy: Analysis of possible deployment scenarios , 2008 .

[19]  Toshihiko Nakata,et al.  Energy modeling on cleaner vehicles for reducing CO2 emissions in Japan , 2003 .

[20]  Young Eal Lee,et al.  Challenges of nuclear power for sustainable role in Korean energy policy , 2008 .