Enhancing Green Hydrogen Production Efficiency through Heat Recovery Solutions
Key Ideas
  • District heating shows the highest economic viability among five heat recovery scenarios for PEM electrolysis excess heat.
  • Ammonia Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) scenario yielded limited viability, with a negative NPV and a payback period exceeding 30 years.
  • Integrating low-grade heat recovery into green hydrogen systems is crucial for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Redirecting PEM excess heat to District Heating infrastructure offers immediate economic and technical benefits for green hydrogen production.
The European Union is striving to meet decarbonization goals by integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind. To address the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of these energy sources, hydrogen (particularly 'green hydrogen' from renewable electrolysis) is being considered as a complementary energy carrier. A recent study evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of utilizing excess heat generated during Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis, which is often underutilized. The study modeled five heat recovery scenarios using Aspen Plus, including electricity generation via an Ammonia Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), direct heat supply to a District Heating (DH) network, and steam generation using hydrogen and electric boilers. The DH scenario emerged as the most economically viable, with an NPV of €9.5 million, an IRR of 0.23, and a 7-year payback period at a hydrogen price of €9.5/kg. On the other hand, the ORC scenario showed limited viability with a negative NPV and an extended payback period. The findings underscore the significance of integrating low-grade heat recovery into green hydrogen systems. By redirecting excess heat to existing DH infrastructure, the study highlights immediate economic and technical advantages, fostering more efficient and financially attractive green hydrogen production systems.
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