Biohydrogen with negative CO2 emissions from municipal solid waste for decarbonising the public bus fleet. Application to the municipality of Madrid

This study assesses the production potential, environmental impact, and economic viability of generating biohydrogen from biomethane obtained from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) using steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage (CCS). As the emissions are biogenic, CCS results in negative emissions. The methodology is based on a previously developed model, including techno-economic analysis based on the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) and mobility (LCOM), and environmental assessment, focusing on production potential, cost estimates, and emissions impact. A case study is conducted to assess the feasibility of using this biohydrogen with negative emissions to decarbonize Madrid's public bus fleet. The findings reveal that Madrid's MSW could meet the entire hydrogen fuel demand if the fleet consisted of fuel-cell buses. However, given the high costs of replacing the entire fleet, a net-zero solution is proposed, combining 60% fuel-cell buses with existing natural gas-powered buses. In this configuration, the negative emissions from biohydrogen offset the fossil emissions from natural gas and 40% of biomethane is saved. The cost of the net-zero fleet ranges between 192.55 and 209.37 €/100 km, comparable with 100% natural gas fleet, which ranges between 176.19 and 217.69 €/100 km. [Display omitted] •Biohydrogen from SMR of biomethane with CCS using MSW as feedstock is proposed.•Potential and costs in Madrid are assessed for a net-zero emissions bus fleet.•Biohydrogen's negative emissions offset CO2 emissions from natural gas engines.•Hybrid fleet (60% FCEV and 40% ICE with natural gas) achieves net-zero emissions.•Hybrid fleet costs (192.55–209.37 €/100 km) similar to pure natural gas fleet.