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Quantification of fresh water consumption and scarcity footprints of hydrogen from water electrolysis: A methodology framework

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  • Shi, Xunpeng
  • Liao, Xun
  • Li, Yanfei

Abstract

Towards decarbonizing the global economy, hydrogen produced through water electrolysis is expected to be one of the key solutions for variable renewable energy storage and sector coupling, in particular, via the transport sector in the next few decades. Even though water is an important aspect of the environmental impact, the impact assessment of hydrogen production on water is lacking. This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology for assessing the water footprints of hydrogen production from electrolysis. A major innovative aspect is to demonstrate the geographical distribution of the footprints along the supply chain. The water footprints for hydrogen produced from grid electricity, wind and solar power in Australia was analysed as a case study. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the influence of key parameters including Solar Radiation Level, Silicon Efficiency, and Lifetime of PV Modules. The study finds that the water consumption footprint is much less than that reported in the literature and large part of the water could be consumed indirectly outside of hydrogen producing countries. The quantity of water footprint varies significantly among different assumptions. The findings provide insights into both domestic and cross-boundary water impacts of hydrogen electrolysis and can thus inform policy debates in each nation and beyond.

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  • Shi, Xunpeng & Liao, Xun & Li, Yanfei, 2020. "Quantification of fresh water consumption and scarcity footprints of hydrogen from water electrolysis: A methodology framework," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 786-796.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:154:y:2020:i:c:p:786-796
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.03.026
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    1. Parra, David & Zhang, Xiaojin & Bauer, Christian & Patel, Martin K., 2017. "An integrated techno-economic and life cycle environmental assessment of power-to-gas systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 440-454.
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    6. Luis Ramirez Camargo & Gabriel Castro & Katharina Gruber & Jessica Jewell & Michael Klingler & Olga Turkovska & Elisabeth Wetterlund & Johannes Schmidt, 2022. "Pathway to a land-neutral expansion of Brazilian renewable fuel production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    9. Yue, Meiling & Lambert, Hugo & Pahon, Elodie & Roche, Robin & Jemei, Samir & Hissel, Daniel, 2021. "Hydrogen energy systems: A critical review of technologies, applications, trends and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
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    11. Risco-Bravo, A. & Varela, C. & Bartels, J. & Zondervan, E., 2024. "From green hydrogen to electricity: A review on recent advances, challenges, and opportunities on power-to-hydrogen-to-power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
    12. Lucia Cattani & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini & Roberto Figoni & Daniele Dondi & Dhanalakshmi Vadivel, 2023. "Suitability and Energy Sustainability of Atmospheric Water Generation Technology for Green Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    13. Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu & Kishore Sridharan & Sanjay Nagarajan & Sengeni Ananthraj & Peter Robertson & Moritz F. Kuehnel & Ángel Irabien & Mercedes Maroto-Valer, 2022. "Solar Hydrogen Fuel Generation from Wastewater—Beyond Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: A Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, October.
    14. Li, Guang & Li, Na & Liu, Fan & Zhou, Xing, 2022. "Development of life cycle water footprint for lignocellulosic biomass to biobutanol via thermochemical method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 222-227.
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