  In the pursuit of a carbon-neutral future, hydrogen emerges as a pivotal
element, serving as a carbon-free energy carrier and feedstock. As efforts to
decarbonize sectors such as heating and transportation intensify, understanding
and navigating through the dynamics of hydrogen demand expansion becomes
critical. Transitioning to hydrogen economy is complicated by varying regional
scales and types of hydrogen demand, with forecasts indicating a rise in
variable demand that calls for diverse production technologies. Currently,
steam methane reforming is prevalent, but its significant carbon emissions make
a shift to cleaner alternatives like blue and green hydrogen imperative. Each
production method possesses distinct characteristics, necessitating a thorough
exploration and co-optimization with electricity supply chains as well as
carbon capture, utilization, and storage systems. Our study fills existing
research gaps by introducing a superstructure optimization framework that
accommodates various demand scenarios and technologies. Through case studies in
California, we underscore the critical role of demand profiles in shaping the
optimal configurations and economics of supply chains and emphasize the need
for diversified portfolios and co-optimization to facilitate sustainable energy
transitions.
