Remote Renewable Energy Hubs: Design, Techno-Economic and Financial Perspectives

M. Victor Dachet will publicly defend his thesis entitled "Remote Renewable Energy Hubs: Design, Techno-Economic and Financial Perspectives".

Summary

Meeting global climate targets requires large-scale deployment of low-carbon energy carriers. Yet, renewable energy is often geographically mismatched with demand centers. Remote Renewable Energy Hubs (RREHs) have emerged as a promising solution: these are energy hubs located in areas with abundant renewable resources, designed to produce and export low-carbon energy carriers to distant load centers. 

This thesis contributes to the design, techno-economic and financial understanding of RREHs through three research questions, each addressed in a dedicated part of the manuscript. 

• Part I defines the concept of RREHs and formalizes a taxonomy to characterize them. This taxonomy enables systematic comparisons between hub configurations and supports the identification of new hub architectures.
• Part II explores novel RREH designs. First, two chapters focus on CO2 valorization strategies, demonstrating how carbon loops involving Post-Combustion Carbon Capture (PCCC) or Direct Air Capture (DAC) affect system cost and design. Second, a comparative study assesses the techno-economic performance of four hydrogen-derived energy carriers (CH4, NH3, H2, CH3OH) synthesized in the Algerian Sahara and exported to Belgium. Third, a new RREH concept, based on floating offshore wind and battery transportation, is introduced for high-seas deployment, providing an alternative design.
• Part III addresses the financial dimension of RREHs. It quantifies how the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), which varies across countries, influences hub competitiveness. This part reveals a trade-off between technical potential and financial risk, calling for innovative financing mechanisms and strategic policy support.

Practical information

Defence will take place on Monday, November 24th at 14:30, to all at amphitheatre Mania Pavella of Institute Montefiore (Bât. B28, au Sart Tilman) or via le FSA PhD Channel.