Simulation-based life cycle and exergy assessment of a solid oxide electrolyser applied for green hydrogen production

Green H 2 is considered key for industrial decarbonisation, besides reducing many countries’ dependence on fossil fuels. Solid oxide electrolyser cells represent a maturing technology for industrial H 2 production. In this work, the environmental impacts of the electrolyser and H 2 production are evaluated through a simulation-based life cycle assessment (thermodynamic-based). This approach facilitates the expansion of the system boundaries and improves the quality of the inventory. An exergy assessment of use phase is also conducted, indicating the high electrolyser efficiency (only 15 % exergy destruction). The results have indicated that while the main contributor to the total environmental impacts (e.g., between 2745 and 2924 kg CO 2 eq./ton of H 2 ) is the electricity consumption in the use phase (ca. 70 % of climate change impact from electricity depending on scenario), the system manufacturing and its raw materials also need to be carefully analysed, as these elements are considered critical/strategic to many countries.