Hydrogen fuel infrastructure: an integrated approach to optimize location selection of hydrogen refuelling station

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) in India and other countries present a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on non-renewable energy resources. However, the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure lags behind the rapidly expanding electric vehicle networks. This study aims to address this gap by identifying optimal sites for Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) in Patna district, Bihar (India). In this work an integrated methodology is proposed that combines Triangular Fuzzy Number (TFN) for criterion weight calculation, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) for site evaluation, and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) for refining site rankings according to customers' requirements. Quantitative analysis revealed priority-wise ranking, marking Phulwari (P2) as the optimal site for hydrogen refuelling station. Key influencing criteria after evaluation included the number of refuelling stations (C2 = 0.129275) and expenses incurred by customers (C7 = 0.146158). The study's outcome demonstrates the potential to guide the development of hydrogen fuel infrastructure in India, with Phulwari serving as a pivotal site.