Can CCS Make it Cheaper for a Sustainable Hydrogen Supply? A Technoeconomic Assessment

Abstract Worldwide demand for hydrogen has been rising steadily as an alternative to fossil fuel energy. This work presents a study of techno economic assessment of hydrogen production via natural gas reforming and photo-electrolysis by estimating the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of various hydrogen production processes. Carbon sequestration is employed to realize low carbon dioxide emissions and prevents the affluence of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, as such, mitigating climate change. Our work establishes that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology increases capital expenditure, which surges the LCOH. Comparison between the PEC system and PV systems is explored. Our work uses the H2A model with different methodologies to find the various results regarding LCOH. Furthermore, the work reviews recent research in solar hydrogen generation. Based on the current literature, contemporary technologies can achieve $2/kg of carbon-free hydrogen production with CCS. From our findings, a 2000 kg/day of hydrogen production plant can achieve an estimated LCOH of $2.20/kg. However, considering the surge in the cost of raw materials over time, this figure is bound to slightly increase to $2.70/kg by 2040.