Abstract:

This paper studies the potential of green hydrogen production from hydropower energy and its application in electricity regeneration and replacement of petroleum products from the transportation sector in Nepal. Considering different scenarios, the potential surplus hydroelectric energy and hydrogen production potential from the surplus energy are forecasted for the study period (2022–2030). The results showed that hydrogen production potential ranges from 63,072 tons to 3,153,360 tons with the utilization of surplus energy at 20% and 100%, respectively, in 2030. When surplus electricity is offered at achievable lower price values than the US $1.17, the economic analysis of hydrogen from hydropower predicts that electricity is valued based on per kilogramme of hydrogen. This study concludes that hydrogen production from spilled hydro energy and its use in the transportation sector and independent electricity generation is a niche opportunity to lead the country towards sustainable energy solutions and an economy running on hydrogen.