The shifting global climate patterns present an imminent threat to human existence. Addressing this critical issue necessitates decisive action in multiple sectors, including the mobility service, to mitigate climate change. As the world seeks cleaner alternatives, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solu- tion. TotalEnergies, a prominent energy company, has invested substantially in hydrogen technology to facilitate the transition toward sustainability. Although commendable, it is essential to recognize that the current environment remains a high-risk prototype phase. The successful establishment of hydrogen infrastructure and mobility services demands meticulous planning, robust technological advancements, and comprehensive risk assessment.
Thus, there is a need to comprehend the potential areas of development within a high-risk prototype environment by harnessing the company’s extensive 40 years of experience in Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) analysis. This need entails conducting a comprehensive and systematic RAMS analysis specifically tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of hydrogen refueling stations. However, a notable gap exists in the existing literature, as there is a lack of established guidelines or published research that specifically addresses the intricacies of RAMS analysis for the stations. This knowledge gap poses a significant burden in effectively assessing and mitigating risks, ensuring optimal performance, and fostering the safe and reliable operation of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. In order to address this critical knowledge gap, the main research question has been formulated as follows:
Research Question – Main: How can a systematic RAMS study-based approach be developed to improve the availability of hydrogen refueling stations by leveraging conventional RAMS methodological frameworks?
An extensive literature study was conducted to address the main research question. The aim of that part was to gather insights and identify best practices from existing research from other industries. As a result of the literature study, a Systematic Techno-Economic RAMS Analysis (STRAMSA) framework was developed. The STRAMSA framework introduces significant contributions to RAMS analysis for hydrogen refueling stations. It integrates system engineering, RAMS analysis, and techno-economic analysis to maximize the availability of system design. The framework establishes a strong link between RAMS analysis and techno-economic evaluation, facilitating informed decision-making by considering financial aspects. In techno economic analysis, it incorporates novel elements such as inflation, learning-by doing effect (in terms of market growth), and deflation rates for hydrogen. Moreover, the framework separates maintenance costs from operational costs to facilitate targeted improvements for the operation. This part also quantifies safety by assessing risks in monetary terms for accidents/fatality occurrence. Lastly, its iterative nature allows continuous improvement and adjustment throughout the design and operation process. Overall, the STRAMSA framework provides a comprehensive approach for analyzing the reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety aspects of systems.
To evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of the STRAMSA framework, the Total Energies Breda Hydrogen Refueling Station was selected as a case study. The steps outlined in the framework were applied to this specific station. Throughout the process, an iterative approach was adopted, allowing for adjustments to the framework as necessary.
After applying the STRAMSA framework to the Breda Hydrogen Refueling Station, the Net Present Value (NPV) was calculated as 1,815,202.69 €. The analysis also revealed the uncertainty of attaining a positive NPV, with a 11.18%. Further investigation into the sources of uncertainty identified market-related parameters as the dominant contributors to the variance. Specifically, parameters such as ”Market Growth Rate,” ”Hydrogen Price,” and ”Hydrogen Sale” significantly influenced the uncertainty surrounding the NPV. These findings underscore the importance of a coordinated policy approach that encourages investments in both the hydrogen market and hydrogen infrastructure. Such an approach is crucial for the rapid adoption of hydrogen technology and the development of a robust hydrogen economy. In addition to market parameters, from the operational perspective, the dispenser is identified as a decisive contributor to the uncertainty that requires closer examination.
As a further theoretical research, exploration the applicability of the STRAMSA framework for multi-case studies can be conducted. Initially, the framework can be applied to hydrogen refueling stations as a potential case study, but its feasibility can also be assessed for other industries. Furthermore, the impact of a design configuration change can be evaluated for the case at stake. One potential modification to consider is the addition of a supplementary High-Pressure (HP) compressor, as this particular component has been identified as the least reliable subsystem based on the RAMS analysis. Conducting such assessments can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and adaptability of the STRAMSA framework in different scenarios and improve the design of hydrogen refueling stations.