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The Carbon Footprint of Hydrogen Produced with State-of-the-Art Photovoltaic Electricity Using Life-Cycle Assessment Methodology

Author

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  • Mehrshad Kolahchian Tabrizi

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Jacopo Famiglietti

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Davide Bonalumi

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Stefano Campanari

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

The production of hydrogen as both chemical feed and energy carrier using low-carbon technologies is one of the solutions to reach net-zero emissions. This paper, firstly, reviews the publications on the life-cycle assessment of photovoltaic (PV)-based hydrogen production focused on the carbon footprint. Secondly, it updates the global warming potential (GWP) values of this H 2 production process considering the state-of-the-art PV panels for installation in Italy. In the literature, H 2 produced in Europe and the rest of the world results in a mean GWP equal to 4.83 and 3.82 kg CO 2 eq./kg H 2 , respectively, in which PV systems contribute the highest share. The average efficiency of PV panels assumed in the literature is lower than the current PV modules. Updating the supply chain, efficiency, and manufacturing energy and material flows of PV modules can decrease the GWP value of the H 2 produced by nearly 60% (1.75 kg CO 2 eq./kg H 2 , with use of alkaline electrolyzer) in the Italian context, which can be further reduced with advancements in PV panels or electrolysis efficiency. The study proves that advancement in the PV industry and additional savings in the electrolyzer’s electrical demand can further decrease the carbon footprint of PV-based H 2 .

Suggested Citation

  • Mehrshad Kolahchian Tabrizi & Jacopo Famiglietti & Davide Bonalumi & Stefano Campanari, 2023. "The Carbon Footprint of Hydrogen Produced with State-of-the-Art Photovoltaic Electricity Using Life-Cycle Assessment Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:13:p:5190-:d:1187712
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arkadiusz Małek & Agnieszka Dudziak & Jacek Caban & Monika Stoma, 2024. "Strategic Model for Yellow Hydrogen Production Using the Metalog Family of Probability Distributions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Mehrshad Kolahchian Tabrizi & Tarcisio Cerri & Davide Bonalumi & Tommaso Lucchini & Morris Brenna, 2024. "Retrofit of Diesel Engines with H 2 for Potential Decarbonization of Non-Electrified Railways: Assessment with Lifecycle Analysis and Advanced Numerical Modeling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-14, February.

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