Hydrogen energy pilot introduction – Technology competition

Abstract

Hydrogen energy technologies are considered as the cutting-edge clean energy technologies all over the world. Novel concept of hydrogen energy development in Russia, proposed by Government has hydrogen technologies equipment development, production and introduction into domestic market as one of the tasks. Foreign experience shows that governmental support is very important for successful branch development. Waste hydrogen from chlorine industry utilization can be energy-efficient and attractive niche for fuel cells and hydrogen-fuelled heat engines application. Lifetime and capital costs are important parameters for technology choice decision. Energy cost and hydrogen consumption comparison were carried out for gas microturbines (MGT), fuel cells (FC) and internal combustion engines (ICE) in this paper. Analysis showed polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and gas microturbines to be the most promising technology in this niche while for internal combustion engines lifetime is an issue. Solid oxide fuel cells need significant capital costs decrease for successful market introduction. Solid oxide fuel cells, MGT and ICE have also additional advantage for Russian conditions due to high-potential heat production possibility. • Сhlorine industry waste hydrogen utilization is considered as the prospective niche for hydrogen energy pilot introduction. • Lifetime and capital costs are the main parameters influencing different hydrogen utilization techniques economic efficiency. • Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells became the most attractive technology due to price decrease during last decade. • Gas microturbines and internal combustion engines also can be considered in case of need in heat energy.