Alkaline Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production at Sea: Perspectives on Economic Performance

Rafael d’Amore-Domenech (), Isabel Carrillo, Emilio Navarro and Teresa J. Leo
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Rafael d’Amore-Domenech: Departamento de Arquitectura, Construcción y Sistemas Oceánicos y Navales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales (ETSIN), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Avenida de la Memoria 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Isabel Carrillo: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Química y Diseño Industrial, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial (ETSIDI), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Ronda de Valencia 3, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Emilio Navarro: Grupo de Investigación de Pilas de Combustible, Tecnología del Hidrógeno y Motores Alternativos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida de la Memoria 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Teresa J. Leo: Departamento de Arquitectura, Construcción y Sistemas Oceánicos y Navales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales (ETSIN), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Avenida de la Memoria 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Alkaline electrolysis is already a proven technology on land, with a high maturity level and good economic performance. However, at sea, little is known about its economic performance toward hydrogen production. Alkaline electrolysis units operate with purified water to split its molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Purified water, and especially that sourced from the sea, has a variable cost that ultimately depends on its quality. However, the impurities present in that purified water have a deleterious effect on the electrolyte of alkaline electrolysis units that cause them to drop their energy efficiency. This, in turn, implies a source of economic losses resulting from the cost of electricity. In addition, at sea, there are various options regarding the electrolyte management, of which the cost depends on various factors. All these factors ultimately impact on the levelized cost of the produced hydrogen. This article aims to shed some light on the economic performance of alkaline electrolysis units operating under sea conditions, highlighting the knowledge gaps in the literature and initiating a debate in the field.

Keywords: green hydrogen; levelized cost of hydrogen; LOCH; economic insight; marine hydrogen; water purification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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