ColdSpark Deliverable D6.4. Techno-economic assessment

This deliverable presents the techno-economic assessment (TEA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis of the ColdSpark® non-thermal plama methane splitting technology for hydrogen production. The assessment evaluates the economic viability of scaling the ColdSpark® reactor to industrial level, based on ASPEN simulations and experimental data generated during the project. The study analyses the cost of hydrogen (LCOH) under six methane conversion efficiency scenarios (8.2%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%), identifying the optimal economic balance between capital expenditure (CapEx), operational expenditure (OpEx), and revenues from carbon and acetylene by-products. Results show that the 60% methane conversion scenario provides the most competitive hydrogen production cost at 3.45 €/kgH₂, making ColdSpark® competitive with low-carbon hydrogen pathways. This deliverable provides evidence for the industrial and commercial potential of ColdSpark® technology as a scalable, low-carbon hydrogen production solution aligned with European decarbonisation goals and circular economy strategies.