Strategy Development based on the Hydrogen Businesses in Cote d'Ivoire

Abstract

Côte d’Ivoire has substantially neglected crop residues from farms in rural areas. This study aims to provide strategies for the sustainable conversion of crop residues to hydrogen. Using existing data and theoretical approaches, up to 16,801,306 tons of crop residues of 11 crop types were available in Côte d’Ivoire in 2019. These residues are dominated by the cashew sector in the northern regions with Béré region (929,200 tons) and Gbeke region (652,800 tons), Follow by cocoa in the West and Southwest regions. Guémon and San Pedro regions have the highest cocoa residues and account for 1,841,700 tons and 1,820,000 tons respectively. A theoretical energy and hydrogen potential of 273,387,320 gigajoules and 1,296,424.84 tons were respectively estimated from the crop residues. Technically, 907,497.39 tons of hydrogen is expected each year. Three scenarios of hydrogen project implementation have been developed and indicate that the Ivorian industries can be supplied with 9,026,635 gigajoules of heat. Moreover, 17,910 cars and 4,732 buses can be supported in the transport sector. It is estimated that 817,293.95 tons of green ammonia for farmers can be supply. Five million, seven hundred twenty-seven thousand, nine hundred ninety-two (5,727,992) households are expected to have access to 1,718.40 gigawatts of electricity. Due to these changes in transport, energy, industry and agricultural sectors, a reduction of 1,644,722.08 tons of carbone dioxide per year can be achieved theoretically. With the scenarios, some 263,276.87 tons of hydrogen are exportable to other countries. Conversion of crop residues to hydrogen is a promising opportunity with environmental and socio-economic impact. Therefore, the usage of these residues in Côte d’Ivoire requires further extensive research.