Recent Research in Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production

Yimin Deng, Shuo Li, Helei Liu, Huili Zhang and Jan Baeyens ()
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Yimin Deng: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102488, China
Shuo Li: School of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Helei Liu: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102488, China
Huili Zhang: School of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Jan Baeyens: Process Technology and Environmental Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Climate concerns require immediate actions to reduce the global average temperature increase. Renewable electricity and renewable energy-based fuels and chemicals are crucial for progressive de-fossilization. Hydrogen will be part of the solution. The main issues to be considered are the growing market for H 2 and the “green” feedstock and energy that should be used to produce H 2 . The electrolysis of water using surplus renewable energy is considered an important development. Alternative H 2 production routes should be using “green” feedstock to replace fossil fuels. We firstly investigated these alternative routes through using bio-based methanol or ethanol or ammonia from digesting agro-industrial or domestic waste. The catalytic conversion of CH 4 to C and H 2 was examined as a possible option for decarbonizing the natural gas grid. Secondly, water splitting by reversible redox reactions was examined, but using a renewable energy supply was deemed necessary. The application of renewable heat or power was therefore investigated, with a special focus on using concentrated solar tower (CST) technology. We finally assessed valorization data to provide a tentative view of the scale-up potential and economic aspects of the systems and determine the needs for future research and developments.

Keywords: hydrogen production; “green” systems; solar power; catalytic steam reforming; water splitting; valorization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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