Lelong, Mme Bérénice (2018) Energy Economics PRE - Research Project, ENSTA.
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Abstract
Numerous European cities are looking for alternative to diesel buses for urban public transportation, in order to improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gases emission. One the alternative wildly considered is switching to Fuel Cell (FC) buses. This study contains three main points: a market analysis of hydrogen buses in Europe ; the calculation of operating cost of hydrogen buses in eight European cities ; and finally a study of the cost of materials and of the possibility for today fuel cell technologies to reach the scale economies needed to become competitive with diesel. The conclusion is that FC buses still face numerous challenges. The market analysis show that FC buses have a room in the public transportation market: a functioning FC bus emits only H2O, which complies with the need for preserving air quality, and the refueling system allows more flexibility and availability than electric buses. However, the cost analysis shows that current FC buses have a 1.4 time higher functioning cost than diesel buses, and a 10 time higher initial investment cost. Secondly, the production of industrial hydrogen, or grey hydrogen emits CO2 : the greenhouse gas is still emitted, but outside the city. But green hydrogen produced using renewable electricity, is 10 times more costly than grey hydrogen. Finally, the use of rare metals and especially platinum is an obstacle to reach the scale effect with current existing technologies. To become competitive, FC buses need a massive investment in green hydrogen production, and a shift in the current technology of Fuel Cells.
Item Type: | Thesis (PRE - Research Project) |
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Subjects: | Sciences of Economy, Management and Society |
ID Code: | 7157 |
Deposited By: | Bérénice Lelong |
Deposited On: | 15 avr. 2019 15:39 |
Dernière modification: | 15 avr. 2019 15:39 |
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