Cost-competitiveness for green hydrogen using intermittent renewable energy sources remains a significant challenge. Researchers have shown that considerable cost reductions can be achieved by optimizing plant control and design based on specific hydrogen demand targets and local weather conditions.
1. Actually, these researchers have just proven a number of points in writing this paper. First, that even using today's (*or yesterday's) technology and policy settings, it is possible to achieve an LCOH the same as LNG or coal (base cost €2/kg) and considerably less than diesel / petrol Thread 🧵
2. For those unaware, a systemic campaign exists to try to block #hydrogen for both ideological reasons (EVs are better and there is no space for fuel cells) and commercial reasons (hydrogen is a genuine threat to the fossil economy) A recent critique unpacks modelling problems in a recent paper:
3. More thoughts on the Florian Egli paper - which in itself single-handedly puts into question the peer review process - but that carries similar inconsistancies to this LUT Finland paper The substantial difference being however, that €2/kg hydrogen is already considered viable in Finland
4. Main inconsistancies of the LUT Finland paper, on first impressions: a) no mention of #AEMelectrolysis, which many manufacturers have stated will be available commercially at scale before 2027. AEM does not need a constant electricity supply, and therefore does not need intermediate storage
b) grid connection: this is an artifact of anti-hydrogen campaigning The (much criticised) #DelegatedActs rules seek to block electrolysis from connecting to the grid. This is to ensure that the hydrogen produced is of 'the highest purity' However, it places severe limitations on electrolysers
The fact is, these rules should be significantly revised, as per every member state + IEA However, it makes no difference as most OECD countries will be approaching zero grid emissions by 2030 (nuclear or RES), and so imposing restrictions on electrolysis will be very short-lived whatever the case
c) when hydrogen infrastructure is built, hydrogen compression for rock / salt cavern storage will not be a key feature as hydrogen can be stored in the pipeline network in reasonable volumes to supply to industry as needed on an ongoing basis for those connected