Decentralized off-grid PV hydrogen production based on small-capacity electrolyzers
Determining the System LCOH - a case study for 6 kW electrolyzers
Z.C. Gerstenbluth (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
JM Vleugel – Mentor (TU Delft - Transport, Mobility and Logistics)
K. Bruninx – Mentor (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
Zofia Lukszo – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
AJM Van Wijk – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
H. Jongebreur – Mentor (ZEF)
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Abstract
Hydrogen is emerging as plausible energy carrier to decrease the global dependency on fossil fuels. Hydrogen production based on renewable energy and electrolysis is a technically mature and well-researched production process. Production processes based on large electrolyzers result in varying and relatively high (between €4/kg and up to ± €14/kg) levelized costs of hydrogen - attributable to high electrolyzer and electricity costs. This research evaluates the potential of an off-energy-grid PV and small- capacity electrolyzer based hydrogen production process. The assessed smaller-capacity electrolyzers result in less than a quarter of most electrolyzer costs (€/kW). The cost reduction combined with the avoided electricity costs due to grid connection, allow for market competitive LCOHs within the range of ± €2,15-5/kg hydrogen depending on the hydrogen outflow system chosen for the farm. This research shows that the low electrolyzer and electricity costs of an off-energy-grid PV and small-capacity electrolyzer based hydrogen farm - with running hours limited to the average sun equivalent hours while including a water supply system (source, treatment, distribution across farms, etc.) and a hydrogen outflow system (collection across farm, possible compression) - has technical feasibility and market potential.