Hydrogen Life-Cycle Analysis in Support of Clean Hydrogen Production

Elgowainy, Amgad; Vyawahare, Pradeep; Ng, Clarence; Bafana, Adarsh; Burnham, Andrew; Sun, Peng; Cai, H.; Lee, Uisung; Reddi, Krishna; Wang, Michael

doi:10.2172/1892005

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

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“…As the efficiencies of green hydrogen are improving, its use instead of gray hydrogen from SMR could reduce the GHG intensity of biofuels by another 7− 9 gCO 2 e/MJ. 60 However, the costs of electrolysis are currently high, 61,62 and the radiative forcing induced by hydrogen is itself uncertain, 63 which future analyses could resolve. The HTL configuration studied in this analysis can be tuned to prioritize other liquid fuels or products.…”

Section: ■ Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Singh,

Banerjee,

Hawkins

2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Production of algal biomass and its conversion to biofuels are important technological platforms within the larger umbrella of CO2 capture and utilization. This analysis incorporates a life-cycle assessment (LCA) with respect to global warming potential and techno-economic assessment (TEA) of algae biofuels, focusing on the sourcing and delivery of CO2. This analysis evolves past work in this area to include high-purity biogenic CO2, industrial fossil fuel use, fossil power plants, and direct air capture, and uses a Sherwood plot approach to estimate the CO2 capture energy penalty. We also show that allocation or displacement facilitates a more intuitive distinction between biogenic and fossil sources of carbon. Thus, the LCA better reflects the influence of coproduct handling strategies as compared to previous works. The TEA is also strongly influenced by the CO2 concentration in the flue gas. Currently, when CO2 is sourced from large-point sources, the price of biofuels ($4.5–6.5/GGE) may become comparable to fossil diesel. However, as DAC systems become more economical, they may deliver competitive CO2 sources for biofuels in 2050 with a total cost of <$7/GGE. Based on the net emissions and costs, algae biofuels with CO2 sourced from biogenic sources are consistent with a decarbonized economy as of now, with substantial potential for DAC with decreasing costs.

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Section: ■ Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Singh,

Banerjee,

Hawkins

2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Required Developments for Integration of Sustainable Hydrogen in Aviation

Ansell

2023

AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum

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Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis in South Korea

Kim,

Kim

2024

Sustainability

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This study evaluated the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with hydrogen production in South Korea (hereafter referred to as Korea) using water electrolysis. Korea aims to advance hydrogen as a clean fuel for transportation and power generation. To support this goal, we employed a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate the emissions across the hydrogen supply chain in a well-to-pump framework, using the Korean clean hydrogen certification tiers. Our assessment covered seven stages, from raw material extraction for power plant construction to hydrogen production, liquefaction, storage, and distribution to refueling stations. Our findings revealed that, among the sixteen power sources evaluated, hydroelectric and onshore wind power exhibited the lowest emissions, qualifying as the Tier 2 category of emissions between 0.11 and 1.00 kgCO2e/kg H2 under a well-to-pump framework and Tier 1 category of emissions below 0.10 kgCO2e/kg H2 under a well-to-gate framework. They were followed by photovoltaics, nuclear energy, and offshore wind, all of which are highly dependent on electrolysis efficiency and construction inputs. Additionally, the study uncovered a significant impact of electrolyzer type on GHG emissions, demonstrating that improvements in electrolyzer efficiency could substantially lower GHG outputs. We further explored the potential of future energy mixes for 2036, 2040, and 2050, as projected by Korea’s energy and environmental authorities, in supporting clean hydrogen production. The results suggested that with progressive decarbonization of the power sector, grid electricity could meet Tier 2 certification for hydrogen production through electrolysis, and potentially reach Tier 1 when considering well-to-gate GHG emissions.

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Hydrogen Life-Cycle Analysis in Support of Clean Hydrogen Production

Abstract: The well-to-wheel analysis encompasses both the upstream activities of primary energy recovery and processing, and the downstream activities of packaging, delivering, and dispensing H2 into vehicles.

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Required Developments for Integration of Sustainable Hydrogen in Aviation

Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis in South Korea

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Hydrogen Life-Cycle Analysis in Support of Clean Hydrogen Production

Abstract: The well-to-wheel analysis encompasses both the upstream activities of primary energy recovery and processing, and the downstream activities of packaging, delivering, and dispensing H2 into vehicles.

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Implications of CO2 Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Implications of CO2 Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Required Developments for Integration of Sustainable Hydrogen in Aviation

Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hydrogen Production via Water Electrolysis in South Korea

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels

Implications of CO₂ Sourcing on the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Algae Biofuels