Title: COST ANALYSIS OF A CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC HYDROGEN PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Abstract:1. Abstract The development of efficient, renewable methods of producing hydrogen are essential for the success of the hydrogen economy. Since the feedstock for electrolysis is water, there are no har...1. Abstract The development of efficient, renewable methods of producing hydrogen are essential for the success of the hydrogen economy. Since the feedstock for electrolysis is water, there are no harmful pollutants emitted during the use of the fuel. Furthermore, it has become evident that concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems have a number of unique attributes that could shortcut the development process, and increase the efficiency of hydrogen production to a point where economics will then drive the commercial development to mass scale. Concentrating solar energy to produce electricity can occur at quite high solar conversion efficiencies. The highest efficiency for solar concentrator cells, as measured at NREL, is now above 37%. Solar Systems P/L of Australia has exhibited a 40% boost in hydrogen production by separating the solar infrared radiation incident on concentrator solar cells and using it as the heat source for a solid oxide electrolyzer cell operating above 1000 Celsius [9]. With today’s solar cell technologies, it is therefore possible to achieve a 50% conversion efficiency of the solar energy to hydrogen through high temperature electrolysis. With gasoline prices constantly increasing, the cost associated with producing hydrogen is becoming more and more favorable. At approximately $3.10/kg, the cost of producing hydrogen through wind electrolysis is becoming competitive with that of gasoline [10]. It is expected that hydrogen production through thermal-CPV electrolysis has the potential to be equally as attractive, if not more so. Details of a cost analysis for such a hydrogen generation system will be presented.Read More
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 17
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot