Green Hydrogen Generation by Water Photoelectrolysis: Economic and Environmental Analysis

Gaetano Maggio, Salvatore Vasta (), Agatino Nicita, Stefano Trocino and Mauro Giorgianni
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Gaetano Maggio: Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano” (CNR-ITAE), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Salvatore Vasta: Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano” (CNR-ITAE), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Agatino Nicita: Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano” (CNR-ITAE), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Stefano Trocino: Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano” (CNR-ITAE), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Mauro Giorgianni: Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano” (CNR-ITAE), Via Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: Water photoelectrolysis cells based on photoelectrochemical water splitting seem to be an interesting alternative to other traditional green hydrogen generation processes (e.g., water electrolysis). Unfortunately, the practical application of this technology is currently hindered by several difficulties: low solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency, expensive electrode materials, etc. A novel concept, based on a tandem photoelectrolysis cell configuration with an anion-conducting membrane separating the photoanode from the photocathode, has already been proposed in the literature. This approach allows the use of low-cost metal oxide electrodes and nickel-based co-catalysts. In this paper, we conducted a study to evaluate the economic and environmental sustainability of this technology, using the environmental life cycle cost. Preliminary results have revealed two main interesting aspects: the negligible percentage of externalities in the total cost (<0.15%), which means a positive environmental impact, and as evidenced by the net present value (NPV), there are potentially financial conditions that favour future investment. In fact, an NPV higher than 150,000 EUR can be achieved after 15 years.

Keywords: hydrogen; photoelectrolysis; economic sustainability; environmental sustainability; environmental life cycle cost (ELCC) (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: 2025
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