UC Irvine

This thesis describes a geospatial modeling approach to identify the optimal locations for hydrogen fuel production, based on least-cost generation and transport, and provides context surrounding the selection of location buildout as well as the cost feasibility of renewable hydrogen production in California. This is accomplished by estimating and projecting California renewable hydrogen demand scenarios through the year 2050, identifying various feedstock types and locations, excluding areas not suitable for development, and selecting optimal site locations using commercial geospatial modeling software. The findings indicate that hundreds of new renewable hydrogen production facilities will be required to be deployed and commissioned in the decades preceding the year 2050. In selecting sites for development, feedstock availability by technology type is the driving factor. It is found that, around the year 2030, cost of each delivery method of renewable hydrogen will approach a price competitive position to that of gasoline. Similarly, it is found that, by the year 2050, the capital cost of each renewable hydrogen production technology will decrease such that the market will become self-sustaining.