Decarbonization of the Electric Power Sector and Implications for Low‐Cost Hydrogen Production from Water Electrolysis

• DOI: 10.1002/adsu.202300091
• Publication Date: 2023-08-20T21:48:46Z
• Authors: Alex Badgett; Joe Brauch; Prantik Saha; Bryan Pivovar
• Keywords: Capital cost; Electrolysis of water; Power-to-Gas

Abstract Increasing development of wind and solar generation in the power sector can create economic opportunities for deployment water electrolyzers that produce hydrogen. Temporal variation marginal cost energy future decarbonized grids make it favorable to dispatchably ramp hydrogen production up down response low‐ high‐cost times. Using this strategy, low‐cost is enabled by are low‐capital tolerant frequent on/off cycling. Ramping a designated turndown ratio avoid performance degradation caused cycling not shutting electrolyzer completely off. This comes with slight penalty which be minimized if low (i.e., system ramps close zero). These results suggest integrated into systems likely benefit from ability operation quickly operate standby mode. analysis forms basis comparative tradeoffs between capital cost, operating durability demonstrates importance considering all three factors technoeconomic analysis.