[ electrolysis ]
Electrolysis technologies and LCOH : current state and prospects for 2030
Water electrolysis ( WE ) is key to decarbonising hard-to-abate industries such as fertilizers and steel . Four main technologies – alkaline ( AWE ), proton exchange membrane ( PEM ), solid oxide electrolysis cells ( SOEC ), and anion exchange membrane ( AEM ) – can be found in the market , each with its own advantages and disadvantages . This article provides a short review of these technologies and analyses their impact on the levelized cost of hydrogen ( LCOH ).
By Carlos Bernuy-Lopez , Senior Consultant – Power-to-X and Hydrogen Technologies at Ramboll
Introduction
Green hydrogen is poised to play a crucial role in addressing many of the climate challenges we face in the coming years , including the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our climate targets . For instance , if we only consider the current use of hydrogen in the European Union ( EU ), which is mostly grey hydrogen derived from the steam reforming of natural gas , over 220 metric tons ( Mt ) of carbon dioxide equivalent ( CO 2 eq ) could be avoided , which accounts for 8 % of the EU ’ s total emissions . In addition , green hydrogen is key to decarbonising hard-to-
30 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 9 | April 2023