18. Characterization of Hydrogen Supply Chain Design

Due to the constant growth in our need for energy and the search through international agreements to reduce the use of fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions, the promotion and use of renewable energy sources have increased. The increased use of renewable energies, mainly wind and solar, has also increased the interest in energy carriers such as hydrogen, mainly the so-called green hydrogen, because, in addition to storing energy, it also offers the possibility of using hydrogen as a fuel with low environmental impact, giving a possibility to indirectly electrify some industries that are difficult to electrify. That is why the correct planning and design of the hydrogen supply chain (HSC) are necessary. This study seeks to identify and describe the actors involved in the operation of the HSC, the decisions each actor must make and the relationships that may exist with other actors in the supply chain. Next, the strengths and weaknesses concerning the aspects identified are analyzed in Colombia. Subsequently, the problem types, modeling techniques and solution methods applied in the design of the HSC are identified and analyzed, with greater emphasis on optimization techniques. Finally, some challenges and proposals for future research in HSC design are presented.