Low-carbon transportation pathways through power-to-gas

Abstract

In this paper, different low-carbon pathways of power-to-gas for sustainable transportation are compared from technical, economical, and environmental point of view. Surplus power in Ontario can be converted into hydrogen or synthetic methane for hydrogen fuel cell and natural gas vehicles. The efficiency of power to hydrogen are estimated to be around 50–80% without consideration of underground storage and 36–67% considering underground storage. In long-term, their efficiencies will be increased to 54–82% and 43–66%, respectively. The efficiencies of power to synthetic methane is less than its alternatives and it is in the range of 27–57%. In terms of economic analysis, the cost of power to hydrogen pathways are less than the others, however, natural gas cars can be more in the road than hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, due to the refueling station infrastructure accessibility. In terms of environmental consideration, the GHG emission of power to natural gas are much lower than their alternatives due to the CO2 capturing happens in the methanation reactor.