Designing future hydrogen infrastructure: Insights from analysis at different spatial scales

This paper critically reviews the growing literature optimising hydrogen infrastructure. We examine studies across spatial scales: national scale studies using energy system models; regional scale studies optimising spatially disaggregated hydrogen infrastructure; and local scale studies optimising the siting of filling stations. For the latter two types of study, we critically assess the assumptions made around hydrogen demand, a key exogenous input into these studies. We identify knowledge gaps and issues that have not been sufficiently addressed in the literature, and we suggest areas for further work.

► We review studies that use optimisation methods to design hydrogen infrastructure. ► We examine studies across spatial scales, from national to local. ► We conclude that hydrogen demand assumptions have been neglected in the literature. ► We provide recommendations for future infrastructure optimization studies. ► We conclude hybrid approaches show promise for integrating insights across scales.