| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Narvaez-Romo, Beethoven
;
Perecin, Danilo
;
Gutierrez-Gomez, Andrea Carolina
;
Lopes, Thiago
;
Mascarenhas, Karen
;
Coelho, Suani T.
;
Meneghini, Julio R.
Total Authors: 7
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY; v. 140, p. 16-pg., 2025-06-20. |
| Abstract | |
The transportation sector, especially diesel-powered buses in Brazil, faces a significant decarbonization challenge, contributing with 19.76 million tCO2-eq GHG emissions. Therefore, this study aims to calculate the achievable GHG emission reductions by implementing renewable hydrogen vehicles at the University of Sao Paulo. The methodological approach considers low-carbon hydrogen production using the ethanol steam reforming route, where energy and mass balances are performed throughout the hydrogen chain. Two models are developed to calculate CO2-eq emissions. Results show that replacing the current fleet of conventional internal combustion engine buses with hydrogen-based options leads to a significant annual reduction of 2658 tCO2-eq, approximately an 83% reduction as compared to the conventional one. Moreover, the total energy conversion efficiency, well-to-wheel, reaches 26.9% and 11.8% for hydrogen and conventional vehicles, respectively, without air-conditioning system, or 21.9% and 9.9% when air-conditioning is coupled, respectively. Notably, CO2-eq emissions increase by at least 38.3% and 15.5% due to the presence of that equipment, respectively. Finally, the results of total cost of ownership (TCO) showed that CAPEX represents only 7.14% of the TCO, being the fuel cost the major proportion for both technologies. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I |
| Grantee: | Julio Romano Meneghini |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program |
| FAPESP's process: | 20/01177-5 - From fundamental to applied science: new frontiers in fuel cell technologies |
| Grantee: | Nigel Peter Brandon |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - SPEC Program |