Critical Metrics and Fundamental Materials Challenges for Renewable Hydrogen Production Technologies
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Critical Metrics and Fundamental Materials Challenges for Renewable Hydrogen Production Technologies Eric L. Miller1, David Peterson2, Katie Randolph2, and Chris Ainscough3 1
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Office, 1000 Independence Ave., SW (EE-3F), Washington, DC 20585, U.S.A. 2
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Office, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A. 3
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Office, NREL Detailed to DOE , 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A. ABSTRACT The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office has made significant progress in fuel cell technology advancement and cost reduction. Encouragingly, rollouts of fuelcell vehicles by major automotive manufacturers are scheduled over the next several years. With these rollouts, enabling technologies for the widespread production of affordable renewable hydrogen becomes increasingly important. Near-term utilization of current reforming and electrolytic processes is necessary for early hydrogen markets, but transitioning to industrialscale renewable hydrogen production remains essential to the longer term. Central to the long term vision is a portfolio of renewable hydrogen conversion processes, including, for example, the direct photoelectrochemical and thermochemical routes, as well as photo-assisted electrochemical routes. DOE utilizes technoeconomic analyses to assess the long-term viability of these emerging hydrogen production pathways and to help identify key materials- and systemlevel cost drivers. Sensitivity analysis from the technoeconomic studies will be discussed in connection with the metrics and fundamental materials properties that have direct impact on hydrogen cost. It is clear that innovations in macro-, meso- and nano-scale materials are all needed for pushing forward the state-of-the-art. These innovations, along with specific research and development pathways for advancing materials systems for the renewable hydrogen conversion technologies are discussed. INTRODUCTION In a broad national energy strategy, hydrogen and fuel cells offer a wide range of benefits for the environment, for our energy security, for our domestic economy, and for end-users. Today, fifty-five million metric tons of hydrogen are produced globally each year, nine million of which are produced in the United States. This hydrogen is used in a wide variety of applications, including petroleum refining and recovery, ammonia production, metal and electronics fabrication, and in the food processing industry. The majority of the hydrogen is produced from non-renewable sources, with 95% of U.S. hydrogen produced from steam-methane reforming of
natural gas [1]. While only a small percentage of this hydrogen is used in fuel cells, the amount is growing steadily and worldwide shipments of hydrogen fuel cells increased by 35%
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