Towards renewable hydrogen-based electrolysis

Alkaline vs Proton Exchange Membrane

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

Bernhard N.D. van Haersma Buma (Student TU Delft)

Marco Peretto (Student TU Delft)

Ziad M. Matar (Student TU Delft)

G. Van De Kaa (TU Delft - Economics of Technology and Innovation)

Research Group
Economics of Technology and Innovation
Copyright
© 2023 Bernhard N.D. van Haersma Buma, Marco Peretto, Ziad M. Matar, G. van de Kaa
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17999
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 Bernhard N.D. van Haersma Buma, Marco Peretto, Ziad M. Matar, G. van de Kaa
Research Group
Economics of Technology and Innovation
Issue number
7
Volume number
9
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Abstract

This paper focuses on the battle for a dominant design for renewable hydrogen electrolysis in which the designs, alkaline and proton exchange membrane, compete for dominance. First, a literature review is performed to determine the most relevant factors that influence technology dominance. Following that, a Best Worst Method analysis is conducted by interviewing multiple industry experts. The most important factors appear to be: Price, Safety, Energy consumption, Flexibility, Lifetime, Stack size and Materials used. The opinion of experts on Proton Exchange Membrane and alkaline electrolyser technologies is slightly skewed in favour of alkaline technologies. However, the margin is too small to identify a winner in this technology battle. The following paper contributes to the ongoing research on modelling the process of technology selection in the energy sector.