Economic and environmental competitiveness of multiple hydrogen production pathways in China

This study utilises the optimization method to ascertain the levelized cost of hydrogen and life cycle carbon emissions of four water electrolysis hydrogen production systems across 31 provinces and regions of China, and compares these with hydrogen production from coal, natural gas and industrial by-products. The findings indicate that the grid-connected water electrolysis hydrogen production system has low-carbon advantages only in certain provinces, and time-of-use electricity prices can improve its economic competitiveness. The off-grid water electrolysis hydrogen production system can achieve near-zero carbon emissions, although additional investment is required to configure larger capacities for…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 62192753, 61821004
• SF
  Science Fund for Creative Research Groups

  Award: 61821004
• DO
  Department of Science and Technology for Social Development

  Award: 2022YFB4004400