The potential of green hydrogen fuel as an alternative in Cameroon's road transport sector

The objective of this paper is to evaluate and assess the potential of green hydrogen (H2) as a substitute fuel for Cameroon's road transportation system. To achieve this objective, we start by providing a status quo of Cameroon's road transport. Then, we conduct an empirical analysis on the potential of H2 as a fuel for vehicles. Based on photovoltaic electrolysis, we estimate the amount of H2 needed to fuel vehicles with the associated costs as well as the quantity of carbon emissions that could be reduced in the event of an energy switch over the period 2020-2035. Finally, techno-economic indicators are used to assess the cost-effectiveness of an H2 vehicle in comparison to a petrol car. Results reveal that if a transition were to take place before 2035 the Cameroonian road transport sector would need between 1.75 MT and 2.5 MT of H2 fuel per year. With this transition, Cameroon could reduce its emissions by around 26% (or 429 megatons of CO2 equivalent). Hydrogen-fuelled vehicles offer the greatest potential for initiating this transition with the current level of technology. Indeed, starting from an investment cost for PV of 0.42 USD/Wp, H2 in a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle can be cost-effective compared with petrol in an internal combustion engine with a PV efficiency of 40%. Therefore, a hydrogen fuel-based transport sector could emerge through technological and production advances. This study contributes to solving the problems related to fossil fuel availability and greenhouse gas emissions arising from the expansion of the road transport sector in Cameroon, envisaging H2 as an alternative fuel.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.