The role of Mediterranean ports in the energy transition: assessment of hydrogen production potential

This study presents a Geographic Information System-based model to assess the hydrogen production potential of 62 ports in the Mediterranean region, advancing beyond single-port case studies through a large-scale, comparative analysis. The framework evaluates the simultaneous integration of solar, wind, and wave energy sources, coupled with battery energy storage systems, to supply electrolysis-based hydrogen production. A dynamic, hourly simulation model is developed to capture the interaction between variable renewable generation, storage operation, electrolyser sizing and control strategies, and grid interaction under both fully renewable and hybrid configurations. Economic, energy, and environmental indicators are integrated, including the levelised cost of hydrogen and the environmental-economic trade-off index, introduced to balance cost and emissions under different policy scenarios. Results highlight significant variations in hydrogen production potential across different ports, influenced by local renewable energy availability. Solar energy emerges as the most consistent resource, with capacity factors ranging from approximately 18% to 24%, while wind energy can outperform solar in specific locations, reaching values close to 30%. Conversely, wave energy shows limited viability due to low annual availability. The resulting levelised cost of hydrogen varies significantly between ports, ranging from about 5.7–8.6 €/kg in fully renewable configurations and from 2.5 to over 13 €/kg in hybrid systems, depending on grid electricity prices and emission intensities. The proposed approach helps identify the most suitable areas for hydrogen development, supporting decision-making processes for energy planning in Mediterranean ports and the transition toward a more sustainable hydrogen-based economy.