The cost of hydrogen production by water electrolysis is relatively high, mainly due to the following aspects:
1. Energy cost
Electrolysis of water Hydrogen production requires a large amount of electricity, and hydrogen is a high energy density fuel. Therefore, the energy cost of electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen represents a large part of the total cost. This results in higher hydrogen production costs if traditional fossil energy sources are used. Therefore, how to use low-cost renewable energy (such as wind power and solar power) is a key question.
2. Cost of Electrolysis Equipment
Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen requires the use of electrolysis equipment, including electrolyzers, electrodes, etc. This equipment requires especial requirements such as resistance to high temperature, high pressure and corrosion, and manufacturing and maintenance costs are high. At present, the research and development of new electrolysis equipment is still in progress, but the price of commercial-scale production equipment is relatively high.
3. Raw material costs
Raw materials required for the preparation of electrolysis equipment, such as electrode materials, electrolytes, etc., also have an impact on costs. Some materials are more expensive, and the material stability, corrosion resistance and other properties must also be high, which increases the preparation cost.
4. Maintenance and operating costs
Long-term operation of electrolysis equipment requires maintenance and upkeep, which also requires a certain amount of energyie and labor. These operating and maintenance costs also increase the overall cost of hydrogen production.
Although the current cost of hydrogen production by water electrolysis is relatively high, with the continuous progress of science and technology and the development of industry, it is expected to reduce the cost of producing hydrogen. For example, with the development of new energy technologies, the cost of renewable energy continues to fall, which will provide a cheaper energy source to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen. At the same time, the development and application of new materials will also reduce the manufacturing cost of electrolysis equipment. Furthermore, as hydrogen production technology evolves, the scale of production expands, and market demand increases, production costs are also expected to decrease.
In general, the cost of water electrolysis to produce hydrogen is one of the challenges facing the current hydrogen energy industry, but it can also be overcome. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology and market development, it is estimated that the cost of hydrogen production by water electrolysis will gradually decrease, thereby promoting the healthy development of the hydrogen industry. hydrogen energy.
1. Baofeng Energy (600989): On April 20, 2020, the company said on the interactive platform: The integrated solar electrolysis hydrogen production project launched by the company this time is currently the largest in China. The project mainly includes a new 20,000 standard cubic meters/hour hydrogen electrolytic water production device and supporting public and auxiliary facilities, a 200 MWp composite photovoltaic power plant and a hydrogen demonstration station.u Ningdong Energy Center (including 2,000 kg/day hydrogenation, 10,000 kg/day gas refueling), 10,000 tons/year refueling, 8 loading piles), 1 hydrogenation station of 1,000 kg/day (Yinchuan), and transform the company's two existing oil and gas co-construction stations into oil, gas and hydrogen co-construction demonstration stations.
2. Foton Motor (600166): Interactive platform on June 10, 2020Answer: The company attaches great importance to the development of hydrogen energy, including technology development, market development and talent training. Heavy-duty trucks, light trucks and other hydrogen-powered models are currently included in the plan. are in the product development stage and independently develop long-mileage fuel cell heavy-duty trucks with high load capacity and high speed.
3. Dongfang Electric (600875): In 2019, the company's first mass production line of hydrogen and fuel cells in the west was successfully put into production, the development of hydrogen intercity buses and prototypes of logistics vehicles has been completed, and the first held in Chengdu. The International Hydrogen, Energy and Fuel Cell Industry Conference has continued to grow its influence in the industry.
1. Hydrogen production
Worldwide: natural gas (48%), alcohols (30%), hydrogen production from coal (18%), electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen (4%).
Japan: electrolyzed water represents up to 63%
China: hydrogen production from coal (62%), natural gas (19%), industrial by-products (18%), water production by electrolysis (1%).
Hydrogen production cost: coke oven gas hydrogen production and electrolysis hydrogen productione: simple process, no pollution, high purity, suitable for proton membrane fuel cells. The disadvantages are high cost, large energy consumption and the possibility of large-scale promotion and application.
Electricity sources for hydrogen production by electrolysis: off-peak electricity, large industrial electricity and renewable energy reduction.
2. Hydrogen energy storage and transportation
Hydrogen storage: high-pressure hydrogen storage (mainstream), liquid hydrogen storage (aerospace field), hydrogen-based hydrogen storage metal oxides (laboratory stage), Hydrogen storage in carbon-based materials and chemical hydrogen storage, etc.
Transportation: The main transport methods include high pressure gas transport , transport of liquid hydrogen, transport of organic liquid hydrogen and transport ofsolid hydrogen.