With the development of quantum chips, quantum communication is becoming essential for quantum computing and quantum networks. Flying Qubits, quantum information carried by photons, play a vital role in transferring data between nodes. Prof. Guofeng ZHANG, Professor of Department of Applied Mathematics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is dedicated to developing precise control methods for flying qubits, aiming to significantly improve the reliability and fidelity of quantum information transfer in future technologies.

This paper presents a techno-economic assessment (TEA) combined with an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of various hydrogen delivery options within Europe, aiming to identify the most sustainable and cost-effective methods for transporting renewable hydrogen. Five hydrogen carriers—compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and a liquid organic hydrogen carrier—are compared, assuming that hydrogen is produced via renewable electrolysis in Portugal and transported to the Netherlands by either ship or pipeline. The findings align with much of the existing literature, indicating that the most economically and environmentally sustainable options for long-distance hydrogen delivery are shipping liquid hydrogen and transporting compressed hydrogen via pipeline. Chemical carriers tend to involve higher costs and environmental impacts, largely due to the additional energy and materials (e.g., extra solar panels) required in hydrogen conversion steps (i.e., packing and unpacking). While the findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, further research is needed to address the limitations of multi-criteria assessments for emerging hydrogen technologies, particularly the uncertainties associated with the early development stages of processes along the hydrogen value chain. Future research should also focus on extending the scope of sustainability assessments and enhancing model reliability, especially for underrepresented environmental and social impact categories.