Publications
Publications
- December 2023
- Energy & Environmental Science
Advances in Power-to-Gas Technologies: Cost and Conversion Efficiency
By: Gunther Glenk, Philip Holler and Stefan Reichelstein
Abstract
Widespread adoption of hydrogen as an energy carrier is widely believed to require continued advances in Power-to-Gas (PtG) technologies. Here we provide a comprehensive assessment of the dynamics of system prices and conversion efficiency for three currently prevalent PtG technologies: alkaline, polymer electrolyte membrane, and solid oxide cell electrolysis. We analyze global data points for system prices, energy consumption, and the cumulative installed capacity for each technology. Our regression results establish that, over the past two decades, every doubling of cumulative installed capacity resulted in system prices coming down by 14-17%, while the energy required for electrolysis was reduced by 2%. On the basis of multiple forecasts of future deployment growth, as well as policy and industry targets, our calculations project that all three technologies will become substantially cheaper and more energy-efficient in the coming decade. Specifically, the life-cycle cost of electrolytic hydrogen production is projected to fall in the range of $1.6-1.9/kg by 2030, thereby approaching but not reaching the $1.0/kg cost target set by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Keywords
Clean Technology; Green Hydrogen; Carbon Emissions; Decarbonization; Learning By Doing; Environment; Energy; Environmental Accounting; Environmental Management; Sustainable Cities; Cost Accounting; Innovation and Management; Technology Adoption; Energy Policy; Engineering; Green Technology; Energy Industry; Utilities Industry; Industrial Products Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Transportation Industry; North America; South America; Africa; Europe; Asia
Citation
Glenk, Gunther, Philip Holler, and Stefan Reichelstein. "Advances in Power-to-Gas Technologies: Cost and Conversion Efficiency." Energy & Environmental Science 16, no. 12 (December 2023): 6058–6070.