Paper mills are considered Hard-to-Abate sectors due to their high energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels, making cost-effective decarbonization challenging. This paper explores the potential of using hydrogen as a viable solution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of a paper mill through a case study. A methodological approach is proposed to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental performances of a hydrogen supply chain that includes an electrolysis unit powered by a photovoltaic plant. The hydrogen is blended with natural gas in a cogeneration plant, which supplies the electrical and thermal demands needed for the paper production process. Based on the technical analysis, the optimal sizes of the photovoltaic plant and the electrolysis unit were estimated at 45.6 MW and 16.1 MW, respectively, to achieve a hydrogen production of 1553 t/year. The environmental evaluation enabled the calculation of the avoided carbon dioxide emissions, which are equal to 9797 t/year. The economic assessment allowed to estimate the levelized cost of hydrogen, which is 4.24 €/kg. Finally, the break-even analysis highlighted the need for economic and financial instruments, including incentives for green hydrogen production and mechanisms aimed at supporting emissions reduction, to ensure that the industry grows in a sustainable, competitive, and resilient manner. • A novel integrated framework assessing hydrogen feasibility in a paper mill • 45.6 MW photovoltaic plant and 16 MW electrolyzer provide 1.5 kt/year of hydrogen • In the optimal configuration, the levelized cost of hydrogen is equal to 4.24 €/kg • Hydrogen in the paper mill enables an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 9.8 kt • A 0.6 €/kg hydrogen production incentive is required to ensure economic viability
Perna et al. (Sun,) studied this question.