Optimizing the Supply Chain for Green Hydrogen and Derivatives: A Case Study from Australia to Germany Including Inland Transport Considerations

The TrHyHub project examines the production of green hydrogen and derivatives, particularly ammonia, and their global transport from Western Australia to Germany via the Port of Rotterdam. This techno-economic analysis, which was conducted using an in-house simulation tool that incorporates a genetic optimization algorithm and covers the entire Power-to-X (PtX) supply chain, demonstrates that excellent conditions in Western Australia enable the effective generation of hydrogen from wind and solar power. By 2030, delivery costs for ammonia, methanol, and liquid hydrogen are projected to be below 225 EUR/MWh, with potential reductions for ammonia to 100 EUR/MWh by 2050. Inland transport costs below 3 % of the total costs can typically be achieved by inland waterway or rail transport. For the direct use of ammonia, methanol, and liquid hydrogen, inland waterway transport is the most cost-effective national distribution method, underscoring the importance of access to inland waterways for off-taker sites. Further research on multimodal inland transport is essential, focusing on less well-connected demand sites and the last mile. Future studies should monitor PtX product imports into Germany and Europe, emphasizing sustainability and ecological footprint alongside economic factors.