A fast and extensive build-up of green hydrogen production is a crucial element for the global energy transition. The availability of low-cost renewable energy at high operating hours of the electrolyzer is a central criterion in today's choice of location for green hydrogen production. It is analyzed how decreasing electrolyzer costs that are expected by many may influence this choice. The energy system optimization framework ESTRAM is used to find the optimum configuration of wind turbine, photovoltaic (PV), and electrolyzer capacity for covering a given hydrogen demand by locally produced green hydrogen in different European locations.
Our results imply that hybrid or solar-only systems are the most viable option for more than 96% of the European regions if hydrogen storage capacity is available. A higher solar share in hydrogen production fosters the need for hydrogen storage. The development of inexpensive storage capacities, e.g., in underground storages, is important for the competitiveness of green hydrogen from solar electricity.
Original article:
R. Niepelt, M. Schlemminger, D. Bredemeier, F. Peterssen, C. Lohr, A. Bensmann, R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, and R. Brendel: The Influence of Falling Costs for Electrolyzers on the Location Factors for Green Hydrogen Production, Sol. RRL2023,7, 2300317
DOI: 10.1002/solr.202300317
