Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23581-23590 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
| Volume | 46 |
| Early online date | 20 May 2021 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jul 2021 |
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a key technology for future sustainable energy systems. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cells use iridium, one of the scarcest elements on earth, as catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. In the present study, the expected iridium demand and potential bottlenecks in the realization of PEMWE for hydrogen production in the targeted GW a−1 scale are assessed in a model built on three pillars: (i) an in-depth analysis of iridium reserves and mine production, (ii) technical prospects for the optimization of PEM water electrolyzers, and (iii) PEMWE installation rates for a market ramp-up and maturation model covering 50 years. As a main result, two necessary preconditions have been identified to meet the immense future iridium demand: first, the dramatic reduction of iridium catalyst loading in PEM electrolysis cells and second, the development of a recycling infrastructure for iridium catalysts with technical end-of-life recycling rates of at least 90%.
Keywords
- Catalyst loading, Hydrogen economy, Iridium, Market model, PEM electrolyzer, Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Energy(all)
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Energy(all)
- Fuel Technology
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Energy(all)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 46, 06.07.2021, p. 23581-23590.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Is iridium demand a potential bottleneck in the realization of large-scale PEM water electrolysis?
AU - Minke, Christine
AU - Suermann, Michel
AU - Bensmann, Boris
AU - Hanke-Rauschenbach, Richard
N1 - Funding Information: The authors acknowledge Michael Schmidt from Deutsche Rohstoffagentur (DERA) in der Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR) Berlin, Germany for his expert advice on geology, mining and recycling of iridium.
PY - 2021/7/6
Y1 - 2021/7/6
N2 - Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a key technology for future sustainable energy systems. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cells use iridium, one of the scarcest elements on earth, as catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. In the present study, the expected iridium demand and potential bottlenecks in the realization of PEMWE for hydrogen production in the targeted GW a−1 scale are assessed in a model built on three pillars: (i) an in-depth analysis of iridium reserves and mine production, (ii) technical prospects for the optimization of PEM water electrolyzers, and (iii) PEMWE installation rates for a market ramp-up and maturation model covering 50 years. As a main result, two necessary preconditions have been identified to meet the immense future iridium demand: first, the dramatic reduction of iridium catalyst loading in PEM electrolysis cells and second, the development of a recycling infrastructure for iridium catalysts with technical end-of-life recycling rates of at least 90%.
AB - Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a key technology for future sustainable energy systems. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cells use iridium, one of the scarcest elements on earth, as catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. In the present study, the expected iridium demand and potential bottlenecks in the realization of PEMWE for hydrogen production in the targeted GW a−1 scale are assessed in a model built on three pillars: (i) an in-depth analysis of iridium reserves and mine production, (ii) technical prospects for the optimization of PEM water electrolyzers, and (iii) PEMWE installation rates for a market ramp-up and maturation model covering 50 years. As a main result, two necessary preconditions have been identified to meet the immense future iridium demand: first, the dramatic reduction of iridium catalyst loading in PEM electrolysis cells and second, the development of a recycling infrastructure for iridium catalysts with technical end-of-life recycling rates of at least 90%.
KW - Catalyst loading
KW - Hydrogen economy
KW - Iridium
KW - Market model
KW - PEM electrolyzer
KW - Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
KW - Catalyst loading
KW - Hydrogen economy
KW - Iridium
KW - Market model
KW - PEM electrolyzer
KW - Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85106619249&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.04.174
DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.04.174
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85106619249
VL - 46
SP - 23581
EP - 23590
JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
SN - 0360-3199
ER -