Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2300135 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Apr 2024 |
Abstract
This study performs a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of a 5 MW proton exchange membrane water electrolysis plant. The analysis follows a thorough engineering-based bottom-up design based on the electrochemical model of the system. Three scenarios are analyzed comprising a state-of-the-art (SoA) plant operated with the German electricity grid-mix, a SoA plant operated with a completely decarbonized energy system, and a future development plant electrolyzer with reduced energy and material demand, operated in a completely decarbonized energy system. The results display a global warming potential of 34 kg CO2-eq. kg-H2−1 and indicate a reduction potential of 89% when the plant is operated in a decarbonized energy system. A further reduction of 9% can be achieved by the technological development of the plant. Due to the reduced impacts of operation in a completely decarbonized energy system, the operation at locations with large offshore wind electricity capacity is recommended. In the construction phase, the stacks, especially the anode catalyst iridium, bipolar plates, and porous transport layers, are identified as dominant sources of the environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis shows that the environmental impact of the construction phase increases with a decreasing amount of operational full load hours of the plant.
Keywords
- environmental impacts, hydrogen, life cycle assessment, polymer exchange membrane, water electrolysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Energy(all)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Environmental Science(all)
- Ecology
- Environmental Science(all)
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2300135, 06.04.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Life Cycle Assessment of a 5 MW Polymer Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Plant
AU - Gerhardt-Mörsdorf, Janis
AU - Peterssen, Florian
AU - Burfeind, Paula
AU - Benecke, Mareike
AU - Bensmann, Boris
AU - Hanke-Rauschenbach, Richard
AU - Minke, Christine
N1 - Funding Information: Funding from Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture originating from the “Niedersächsisches Vorab” programme witihin the project “H2‐Wegweiser” (Grant No. ZN3770) and “InnoEly” (Grant No. ZN3771) is gratefully acknowledged.
PY - 2024/4/6
Y1 - 2024/4/6
N2 - This study performs a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of a 5 MW proton exchange membrane water electrolysis plant. The analysis follows a thorough engineering-based bottom-up design based on the electrochemical model of the system. Three scenarios are analyzed comprising a state-of-the-art (SoA) plant operated with the German electricity grid-mix, a SoA plant operated with a completely decarbonized energy system, and a future development plant electrolyzer with reduced energy and material demand, operated in a completely decarbonized energy system. The results display a global warming potential of 34 kg CO2-eq. kg-H2−1 and indicate a reduction potential of 89% when the plant is operated in a decarbonized energy system. A further reduction of 9% can be achieved by the technological development of the plant. Due to the reduced impacts of operation in a completely decarbonized energy system, the operation at locations with large offshore wind electricity capacity is recommended. In the construction phase, the stacks, especially the anode catalyst iridium, bipolar plates, and porous transport layers, are identified as dominant sources of the environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis shows that the environmental impact of the construction phase increases with a decreasing amount of operational full load hours of the plant.
AB - This study performs a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of a 5 MW proton exchange membrane water electrolysis plant. The analysis follows a thorough engineering-based bottom-up design based on the electrochemical model of the system. Three scenarios are analyzed comprising a state-of-the-art (SoA) plant operated with the German electricity grid-mix, a SoA plant operated with a completely decarbonized energy system, and a future development plant electrolyzer with reduced energy and material demand, operated in a completely decarbonized energy system. The results display a global warming potential of 34 kg CO2-eq. kg-H2−1 and indicate a reduction potential of 89% when the plant is operated in a decarbonized energy system. A further reduction of 9% can be achieved by the technological development of the plant. Due to the reduced impacts of operation in a completely decarbonized energy system, the operation at locations with large offshore wind electricity capacity is recommended. In the construction phase, the stacks, especially the anode catalyst iridium, bipolar plates, and porous transport layers, are identified as dominant sources of the environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis shows that the environmental impact of the construction phase increases with a decreasing amount of operational full load hours of the plant.
KW - environmental impacts
KW - hydrogen
KW - life cycle assessment
KW - polymer exchange membrane, water electrolysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85182413075&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/aesr.202300135
DO - 10.1002/aesr.202300135
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85182413075
VL - 5
JO - Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research
JF - Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research
IS - 4
M1 - 2300135
ER -