TY  - GEN
AB  - This study conducts a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of four electrolyzer technologies: alkaline electrolyzer (AEL), proton-exchange membrane (PEM), anion-exchange membrane (AEM), and solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE). It evaluates their environmental impacts across four main categories: climate change (CC), human health (HH), ecosystem quality (EQ), and abiotic stock resources (ASRs). In order to highlight the critical raw materials (CRMs) used in their manufacturing processes, the research identifies potential material replacements and reveals distinct environmental impacts associated with material choices, such as steel in AEL and AEM, platinum in PEM, and nickel in both SOE and AEL. Additionally, we examine the integration of diverse electrolyzer technologies under various scenarios of renewable electricity sources. Together with a sensitivity analysis of regional electricity mixes and the degradation of stacks across different years, the study provides insights into significant opportunities for performance enhancements in emerging electrolyzer technologies.
AD  - EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland ; EPFL, Sion, Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Sion, Switzerland
AD  - CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada ; School of Engineering, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, HEI, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
AD  - EPFL, Sion, Switzerland
AU  - Wei, Xinyi
AU  - Sharma, Shivom
AU  - Waeber, Arthur
AU  - Wen, Du
AU  - Sampathkumar, Suhas Nuggehalli
AU  - Margni, Manuele
AU  - Maréchal, François
AU  - Van Herle, Jan
CY  - Amsterdam
DA  - 2024-12
DO  - 10.1016/j.joule.2024.09.007
DO  - DOI
EP  - 3347-3372
ID  - 15261
JF  - Joule
KW  - hydrogen production
KW  - life cycle assessment
KW  - alkaline electrolyzer
KW  - anion-exchange membrane elctrolyzer
KW  - polymer electrolyte membrane elctrolyzer
KW  - solid oxide electrolyzer
KW  - electrolyzer manufacture process
KW  - electrolyzer system operation
L1  - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15261/files/Margni_2024_comparative_life_cycle_analysis_electrolyzer_technologies_hydrogen_production.pdf
L2  - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15261/files/Margni_2024_comparative_life_cycle_analysis_electrolyzer_technologies_hydrogen_production.pdf
L4  - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15261/files/Margni_2024_comparative_life_cycle_analysis_electrolyzer_technologies_hydrogen_production.pdf
LA  - eng
LK  - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15261/files/Margni_2024_comparative_life_cycle_analysis_electrolyzer_technologies_hydrogen_production.pdf
N2  - This study conducts a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of four electrolyzer technologies: alkaline electrolyzer (AEL), proton-exchange membrane (PEM), anion-exchange membrane (AEM), and solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE). It evaluates their environmental impacts across four main categories: climate change (CC), human health (HH), ecosystem quality (EQ), and abiotic stock resources (ASRs). In order to highlight the critical raw materials (CRMs) used in their manufacturing processes, the research identifies potential material replacements and reveals distinct environmental impacts associated with material choices, such as steel in AEL and AEM, platinum in PEM, and nickel in both SOE and AEL. Additionally, we examine the integration of diverse electrolyzer technologies under various scenarios of renewable electricity sources. Together with a sensitivity analysis of regional electricity mixes and the degradation of stacks across different years, the study provides insights into significant opportunities for performance enhancements in emerging electrolyzer technologies.
PB  - Elsevier
PP  - Amsterdam
PY  - 2024-12
SN  - 2542-4351
SP  - 3347-3372
T1  - Comparative life cycle analysis of electrolyzer technologies for hydrogen production :manufacturing and operations
TI  - Comparative life cycle analysis of electrolyzer technologies for hydrogen production :manufacturing and operations
UR  - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15261/files/Margni_2024_comparative_life_cycle_analysis_electrolyzer_technologies_hydrogen_production.pdf
VL  - 2024, 8
Y1  - 2024-12
ER  -