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research article

Comparative life cycle analysis of electrolyzer technologies for hydrogen production: Manufacturing and operations

Wei, Xinyi  
•
Sharma, Shivom  
•
Waeber, Arthur  
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December 18, 2024
Joule

This study conducts a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of four electrolyzer technologies: alkaline electrolyzer (AEL), proton-exchange membrane (PEM), anion-exchange membrane (AEM), and solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE). It evaluates their environmental impacts across four main categories: climate change (CC), human health (HH), ecosystem quality (EQ), and abiotic stock resources (ASRs). In order to highlight the critical raw materials (CRMs) used in their manufacturing processes, the research identifies potential material replacements and reveals distinct environmental impacts associated with material choices, such as steel in AEL and AEM, platinum in PEM, and nickel in both SOE and AEL. Additionally, we examine the integration of diverse electrolyzer technologies under various scenarios of renewable electricity sources. Together with a sensitivity analysis of regional electricity mixes and the degradation of stacks across different years, the study provides insights into significant opportunities for performance enhancements in emerging electrolyzer technologies.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.joule.2024.09.007
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85207811001

Author(s)
Wei, Xinyi  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Sharma, Shivom  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Waeber, Arthur  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Wen, Du  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Sampathkumar, Suhas Nuggehalli  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Margni, Manuele

Polytechnique Montréal

Maréchal, François  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Van herle, Jan  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Date Issued

2024-12-18

Published in
Joule
Volume

8

Issue

12

Start page

3347

End page

3372

Subjects

alkaline electrolyzer

•

anion-exchange membrane electrolyzer

•

hydrogen production

•

life cycle assessment

•

polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer

•

solid oxide electrolyzer

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
SCI-STI-JVH  
SCI-STI-FM  
FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

SERI

22.00542-101101479,22.00542-1011014791,735692,875148

Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research

101101521

European Union

101101479

Available on Infoscience
January 25, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/244087
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