The economic analysis for hydrogen production cost towards electrolyzer technologies: Current and future competitiveness

Hydrogen production by electrolysis technology spurs as extensive investigation toward new clear energy acquisition. The mainstream hydrogen production electrolyzers, including alkaline electrolyzer (ALK), anion exchange membrane electrolyzer (AEM), and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEM), are traced to compare their current and future hydrogen production cost regarding technology development. Technologies' char-acteristics are originally described as the polarization curve parameters such as current density, overpotential, and polarization curve slope. The feature of crucial materials such as catalysts and membranes are also taken into consideration. Then, a bottom-up hydrogen production cost prediction model stemming from technical factors is estab-lished with a combination of manufacturing and operating considerations. According to model predictions, the cost of hydrogen production of ALK will be 23.85% and 51.59% lower than AEM and PEM technologies in the short term. However, under technological advancement or breakthrough, the hydrogen production cost of AEM and PEM is expected to be 24% and 56.5% lower in the medium-term and long-term, respectively. The lifetime of the electrolyzers is significantly vital to affect the cost of hydrogen production. The cost reduction space brought about by various technical factors is also explored for the blue-print planning of the hydrogen economy.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hydrogen production through electrolysis technology has sparked extensive research in the field of clean energy acquisition. Mainstream electrolyzers, such as alkaline electrolyzer (ALK), anion exchange membrane electrolyzer (AEM), and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEM), are compared in terms of their current and future hydrogen production costs. The characteristics of these technologies are described in terms of polarization curve parameters, as well as crucial materials like catalysts and membranes. A bottom-up hydrogen production cost prediction model is established, considering technical factors, manufacturing, and operating considerations. The model predicts that ALK will have a 23.85% and 51.59% lower hydrogen production cost compared to AEM and PEM technologies in the short term. However, with technological advancements, AEM and PEM are expected to have a 24% and 56.5% lower cost in the medium-term and long-term, respectively. The lifespan of electrolyzers greatly affects the cost of hydrogen production. Additionally, the cost reduction potential resulting from various technical factors is explored for future planning of the hydrogen economy.