A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States

Justin M. Bracci, Evan D. Sherwin, Naomi L. Boness and Adam R. Brandt ()
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Justin M. Bracci: Stanford University
Evan D. Sherwin: Stanford University
Naomi L. Boness: Stanford University
Adam R. Brandt: Stanford University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier may play a role in various hard-to-abate subsectors, but to maximize emission reductions, supplied hydrogen must be reliable, low-emission, and low-cost. Here, we build a model that enables direct comparison of the cost of producing net-zero, hourly-reliable hydrogen from various pathways. To reach net-zero targets, we assume upstream and residual facility emissions are mitigated using negative emission technologies. For the United States (California, Texas, and New York), model results indicate next-decade hybrid electricity-based solutions are lower cost ($2.02-$2.88/kg) than fossil-based pathways with natural gas leakage greater than 4% ($2.73-$5.94/kg). These results also apply to regions outside of the U.S. with a similar climate and electric grid. However, when omitting the net-zero emission constraint and considering the U.S. regulatory environment, electricity-based production only achieves cost-competitiveness with fossil-based pathways if embodied emissions of electricity inputs are not counted under U.S. Tax Code Section 45V guidance.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43137-x

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