We based our estimate of (future) electrolyser cost mainly on the FCH-report45 as it is a recent and comprehensive study with input from a wide range of recognized industrial and energy companies. Based on these estimates we calculated the levelized cost of hydrogen production from electrolysis. We used a reference system of 20 MW—for 2016 based on alkaline technology, for 2050 based on PEM technology. The results are summarized in table 7.
PROPERTY [-]
YEAR
UNIT [-]
2017
2050
Hydrogen production (electrolyser)
[EUR/kg]
2.25
1.30
Hydrogen production (electrolyser)
[EUR/GJ]
15.88
9.20
Standard electrolyser CAPEX
[EUR/kW]
1,234
767
Standard electrolyser lifetime
[year]
20
20
[% inv.]
2.1%
2.5%
[EUR/MWh]
0.00
0.00
Standard electrolyser efficiency
[% HHV]
77%
81%
Standard electrolyser operation
[hour]
8,000
3,000
[MWh/year]
8.00
3.00
CO2 emission
[ton/year]
0.00
0.00
Electricity cost
[EUR/kg]
1.46
0.00
Carbon cost
[EUR/kg]
0.00
0.00
Variable OPEX
[EUR/kg]
0.00
0.00
Fixed OPEX
[EUR/kg]
0.16
0.31
Levelized CAPEX
[EUR/kg]
0.63
0.99
Standard electrolyser fixed OPEX Standard electrolyser variable OPEX
Electricity consumption
Table 7 - Reference cost of hydrogen production based on electricity
Table 7 assumes that in 2016 renewable electricity is available against a price level equal to the average Norwegian wholesale price over the last 5 years (28.64 EUR/MWh). In 2050 it assumes the availability of zero-priced renewable electricity but only for 3,000 hours per year.
Hydrogen in the electricity value chain ENERGY 49