A comparative techno-economic assessment between solar-based hydrogen production by methane pyrolysis and water electrolysis methods

The transition towards clean and economically viable hydrogen production is crucial for ensuring energy sustainability and mitigating climate change. This transition can be effectively facilitated by using renewable energy sources and advanced hydrogen production methods. Methane pyrolysis and water electrolysis emerge as crucial techniques for achieving hydrogen production with minimal carbon intensity. Recognizing the unique opportunity presented by solar energy for both processes, this study presents a comparative techno-economic analysis between solar-based molten salt methane pyrolysis (SMSMP) and solar-based solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SSOEC). This study offers a guideline for selecting SMSMP vs SSOEC for cities across theworld. In particular, a comprehensive case study including five cities worldwide—San Antonio, Edmonton, Auckland, Seville, and Lyon—is conducted, utilizing their dynamic solar data and localized prices of methane and electricity to provide a realistic comparison. The results indicate the superior economic feasibility of SMSMP across all case studies. Among different case studies, San Antonio and Auckland have the lowest hydrogen costs for SMSMP (2.31 $/kgH2) and SSOEC (5.19 $/kgH2), respectively. It was also concluded that SMSMP is preferred over SSOEC in average to ideal solar conditions, given its full dependency on solar thermal energy. However, the SSOEC has the potential to achieve better economic feasibility by incorporating clean hydrogen tax incentives and reducing the costs associated with renewable energy infrastructure in the future.