Yan, Huiya (Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT))

A Renewable Hydrogen-Based Transit Solution for Tompkins County: Feasibility Assessment and System Design

Scheduled for presentation during the Video Session "On-Demand Video Presentations" (VP-VP), Saturday, November 22, 2025, 08:00−18:00, On-Demand Platform

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on April 2, 2026

Abstract

Hydrogen-powered transportation presents a scalable and low-emission alternative for decarbonizing public transit. This study assesses the technical feasibility of a localized hydrogen production system for the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) fleet in Ithaca, NY, powered entirely by renewable energy. The proposed configuration combines 4 MW of solar Photovoltaic (PV) and 1.7 MW of wind capacity to supply a 1.25 MW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. System modeling estimates an average hydrogen output of 533 kg/day, covering approximately 76% of TCAT’s fuel demand. Seasonal simulations, based on Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data, confirm robust production alignment with operational needs. On-site high-pressure hydrogen storage and optional grid backup improve resilience, while co-location at existing transit depots minimizes land use. The system offers a modular, policy-aligned model for urban hydrogen deployment.