A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies

This research undertakes a comparative analysis of current and emerging hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) production technologies, evaluating them based on quantitative and qualitative decision criteria. The quantitative criteria include cost of H<sub>2</sub> production (USD/kg H<s...

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Main Author: Yehia F. Khalil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/497
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author Yehia F. Khalil
author_facet Yehia F. Khalil
author_sort Yehia F. Khalil
collection DOAJ
description This research undertakes a comparative analysis of current and emerging hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) production technologies, evaluating them based on quantitative and qualitative decision criteria. The quantitative criteria include cost of H<sub>2</sub> production (USD/kg H<sub>2</sub>), energy consumption (MJ/kg H<sub>2</sub>), global warming potential (kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq/kg H<sub>2</sub>), and technology energy efficiency (%). The qualitative criteria encompass technology readiness level (TRL) and availability of supply chain materials (classified as low, medium, or high). To achieve these objectives, an extensive literature review has been conducted, systematically assessing the selected H<sub>2</sub> production technologies against the aforementioned criteria. The insights synthesized from the literature provide a foundation for an informed, science-based evaluation of the potentials and techno-economic challenges that these technologies face in achieving the 1-1-1 goal set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2021. This target aims for a H<sub>2</sub> production cost of USD 1/kg H<sub>2</sub> within one decade (by 2031), including costs associated with production, delivery, and dispensing at H<sub>2</sub> fueling stations (HRSs). Also, the DOE established an interim goal of USD 2/kg H<sub>2</sub> by 2026. This research concludes that among the examined H<sub>2</sub> production technologies, water electrolysis and biomass waste valorization emerge as the most promising near-term solutions to meet the DOE’s goal.
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spelling doaj-art-2a1a4bd8a3dc4f8f90ccef2cc206a9462025-01-24T13:19:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115249710.3390/app15020497A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production TechnologiesYehia F. Khalil0Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS), Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USAThis research undertakes a comparative analysis of current and emerging hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) production technologies, evaluating them based on quantitative and qualitative decision criteria. The quantitative criteria include cost of H<sub>2</sub> production (USD/kg H<sub>2</sub>), energy consumption (MJ/kg H<sub>2</sub>), global warming potential (kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq/kg H<sub>2</sub>), and technology energy efficiency (%). The qualitative criteria encompass technology readiness level (TRL) and availability of supply chain materials (classified as low, medium, or high). To achieve these objectives, an extensive literature review has been conducted, systematically assessing the selected H<sub>2</sub> production technologies against the aforementioned criteria. The insights synthesized from the literature provide a foundation for an informed, science-based evaluation of the potentials and techno-economic challenges that these technologies face in achieving the 1-1-1 goal set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2021. This target aims for a H<sub>2</sub> production cost of USD 1/kg H<sub>2</sub> within one decade (by 2031), including costs associated with production, delivery, and dispensing at H<sub>2</sub> fueling stations (HRSs). Also, the DOE established an interim goal of USD 2/kg H<sub>2</sub> by 2026. This research concludes that among the examined H<sub>2</sub> production technologies, water electrolysis and biomass waste valorization emerge as the most promising near-term solutions to meet the DOE’s goal.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/497hydrogen productionclean hydrogensustainable hydrogenwaste valorizationbio-based waste upcyclingDOE 1-1-1 goal
spellingShingle Yehia F. Khalil
A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
Applied Sciences
hydrogen production
clean hydrogen
sustainable hydrogen
waste valorization
bio-based waste upcycling
DOE 1-1-1 goal
title A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
title_full A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
title_fullStr A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
title_full_unstemmed A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
title_short A Comparative Science-Based Viability Assessment Among Current and Emerging Hydrogen Production Technologies
title_sort comparative science based viability assessment among current and emerging hydrogen production technologies
topic hydrogen production
clean hydrogen
sustainable hydrogen
waste valorization
bio-based waste upcycling
DOE 1-1-1 goal
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/497
work_keys_str_mv AT yehiafkhalil acomparativesciencebasedviabilityassessmentamongcurrentandemerginghydrogenproductiontechnologies
AT yehiafkhalil comparativesciencebasedviabilityassessmentamongcurrentandemerginghydrogenproductiontechnologies