[ efficiency ]
Delivering improvements to systemlevel electrolyser efficiencies
It is widely understood that the cost of renewable electricity is the main contributor to the levelized cost of hydrogen ( LCOH ) for green hydrogen projects . Improvements to the efficiency of the hydrogento-power process are therefore one of the most powerful levers available for improving cost competitiveness . This is especially true for electrolysers that are located in regions with relatively high electricity costs or for plants that operate at high utilisation rates . However , the factors which influence system efficiency over a project ’ s lifetime are not always clearly represented . Without due care , this can lead to unfair comparisons between technologies , unrealistic expectations of future costs , or underestimation of required project capacities . To address this issue , this article provides a primer on the topic of electrolyser efficiencies at the system level and outlines some of the potential avenues for improvement .
By Jacques Moss , Senior Research Analyst – Energy , Sustainability & Infrastructure , Guidehouse Insights
Overview of efficiency considerations for electrolysis
It is useful to think about efficiency losses in three separate but interrelated categories . The first category covers inefficiencies that arise within electrolyser stacks irrespective of the operational profile of the electrolyser . Stacks are the core components of a green hydrogen plant where the electrochemical reactions occur . Inefficiencies in the stack are caused by a range of factors including electrical resistance in the cell components , bubble formation around the
14 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 16 | June 2024