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201439 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.201439 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ All Rights Reserved 2025 125 pages Doctoral Dissertation Academic theses en Andrus, Selisa Rollins Alford, Terry L Estep, Judith Forzani, Erica Theodore, Nirmal Torres, César I Arizona State University Partial requirement for: Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2025 Field of study: Chemical Engineering A significant paradigm shift in the energy sector is underway, driven by initiatives and policies that support net-zero carbon emissions. In some areas of the United States, the swift deployment of renewable energy sources and the retirement of coal-fired and natural gas-fired plants are also key drivers of this transition. As the Nation progresses towards a transformed energy landscape, the emergence of Power-to-X (PtX) technologies presents a transformative solution for addressing intermittency, improving energy storage, and decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification poses challenges. Among PtX pathways, Power-to-Hydrogen is a promising method that leverages electrolysis to produce hydrogen at scale. The United States produces approximately 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, most of which comes from steam methane reforming. However, this production pathway, while significant, generates carbon dioxide emissions and requires carbon capture technologies to deem the produced hydrogen carbon-free. In contrast, green hydrogen (produced via electrolysis using renewable electricity) has gained momentum as a low-emission energy carrier for transport applications and industrial processes. The Columbia River Basin is one of North America's most dynamic waterways, and it supports a highly coordinated hydropower infrastructure that supplies clean energy to the Pacific Northwest region. The basin's multi-use hydropower system presents a unique opportunity to explore alternative energy management solutions. This research examines the intersection of green hydrogen production from hydropower systems within the Columbia River network. Key regional factors such as rapid load growth and climate change scenarios affecting hydropower availability are also key considerations. Results provide a first-of-its-kind framework for evaluating how projected fluctuations in hydropower and the characteristics of plants influence the viability of green hydrogen production in the Pacific Northwest. Chemical Engineering Large-Scale Hydrogen Production from Hydropower: A Case Study of the Columbia River Basin System