MIT HyCAT Tool Compares Hydrogen Transport Costs and Emissions for Clean Energy Supply Chains
azocleantech.comMIT researchers have released HyCAT, an open-source tool that compares the cost and carbon emissions of different hydrogen transportation methods. The tool evaluates five stages from conversion to delivery, including liquefaction, chemical carriers like ammonia and synthetic methane, and shipping. Results show no single best option; the optimal carrier depends on local electricity prices, distance, and infrastructure. HyCAT helps energy planners and policymakers assess trade-offs between energy efficiency, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions for each supply chain. The tool is designed to be updated as technology improves, making it useful for planning hydrogen infrastructure in regions with different energy profiles. The study was published in the journal Fuel and developed in collaboration with ExxonMobil.