Work

Techno‐Economic and Profitability Assessment of Stand‐Alone Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation Technology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hydrogen production from renewable energy sources without CO 2 emissions forms a fundamental pillar of the emerging hydrogen‐based economy. Hydrogen technologies demonstrate significant potential for energy storage and integration across chemical and materials industries. Direct solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) conversion via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is technologically feasible but has not yet been commercialized. A techno‐economic and financial viability assessment is performed on stand‐alone PEC reactors operating in Germany. A detailed cost structure of the photoelectrochemical reactor is carried out. The total cost of the PEC reactor with a 500 cm 2 active area is ≈€94.19 based on experimental data. The levelized cost of hydrogen for an off‐grid PEC system in Munich is calculated as €83.71/kg, assuming a 5% STH efficiency. The sensitivity analysis highlights hydrogen production and lifetime as key factors, with hydrogen production determined by STH efficiency and solar irradiance. Upscaling scenarios indicate that achieving a target hydrogen cost of €2/kg is feasible by extending the reactor lifetime to 20 years, reaching 20% STH efficiency, reducing initial capital expenditure by 80%, and securing favorable capital structure with a weighted average cost of capital of 10% or lower. The findings highlight how scaling can support the financial feasibility of PEC hydrogen production.

Source: Global Challenges

DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202500293

Authors: Debby Chun‐Ting Yang, David Adner, Marko Turek, Christian Hagendorf, Chun‐Nan Chen

Institutions: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,810