A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States
Abstract Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier may play a role in various hard-to-abate subsectors, but to maximize emission reductions, supplied hydrogen must be reliable, low-emission, and low-cost. Here, we build a model that enables direct comparison of the cost of producing net-zero, hourly-reliab...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43137-x |
| _version_ | 1797557894209601536 |
|---|---|
| author | Justin M. Bracci Evan D. Sherwin Naomi L. Boness Adam R. Brandt |
| author_facet | Justin M. Bracci Evan D. Sherwin Naomi L. Boness Adam R. Brandt |
| author_sort | Justin M. Bracci |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier may play a role in various hard-to-abate subsectors, but to maximize emission reductions, supplied hydrogen must be reliable, low-emission, and low-cost. Here, we build a model that enables direct comparison of the cost of producing net-zero, hourly-reliable hydrogen from various pathways. To reach net-zero targets, we assume upstream and residual facility emissions are mitigated using negative emission technologies. For the United States (California, Texas, and New York), model results indicate next-decade hybrid electricity-based solutions are lower cost ($2.02-$2.88/kg) than fossil-based pathways with natural gas leakage greater than 4% ($2.73-$5.94/kg). These results also apply to regions outside of the U.S. with a similar climate and electric grid. However, when omitting the net-zero emission constraint and considering the U.S. regulatory environment, electricity-based production only achieves cost-competitiveness with fossil-based pathways if embodied emissions of electricity inputs are not counted under U.S. Tax Code Section 45V guidance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:22:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b4bf0d6dd72142a89405843dabf9f6e8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:22:44Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-b4bf0d6dd72142a89405843dabf9f6e82023-11-20T10:17:30ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-11-0114111310.1038/s41467-023-43137-xA cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United StatesJustin M. Bracci0Evan D. Sherwin1Naomi L. Boness2Adam R. Brandt3Department of Energy Science & Engineering, Stanford UniversityDepartment of Energy Science & Engineering, Stanford UniversityPrecourt Institute for Energy, Stanford UniversityDepartment of Energy Science & Engineering, Stanford UniversityAbstract Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier may play a role in various hard-to-abate subsectors, but to maximize emission reductions, supplied hydrogen must be reliable, low-emission, and low-cost. Here, we build a model that enables direct comparison of the cost of producing net-zero, hourly-reliable hydrogen from various pathways. To reach net-zero targets, we assume upstream and residual facility emissions are mitigated using negative emission technologies. For the United States (California, Texas, and New York), model results indicate next-decade hybrid electricity-based solutions are lower cost ($2.02-$2.88/kg) than fossil-based pathways with natural gas leakage greater than 4% ($2.73-$5.94/kg). These results also apply to regions outside of the U.S. with a similar climate and electric grid. However, when omitting the net-zero emission constraint and considering the U.S. regulatory environment, electricity-based production only achieves cost-competitiveness with fossil-based pathways if embodied emissions of electricity inputs are not counted under U.S. Tax Code Section 45V guidance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43137-x |
| spellingShingle | Justin M. Bracci Evan D. Sherwin Naomi L. Boness Adam R. Brandt A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States Nature Communications |
| title | A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States |
| title_full | A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States |
| title_fullStr | A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States |
| title_short | A cost comparison of various hourly-reliable and net-zero hydrogen production pathways in the United States |
| title_sort | cost comparison of various hourly reliable and net zero hydrogen production pathways in the united states |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43137-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT justinmbracci acostcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT evandsherwin acostcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT naomilboness acostcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT adamrbrandt acostcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT justinmbracci costcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT evandsherwin costcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT naomilboness costcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates AT adamrbrandt costcomparisonofvarioushourlyreliableandnetzerohydrogenproductionpathwaysintheunitedstates |