Why is hydrogen fuel so expensive?
April 29, 2023Factors Discussed:
• Hydrogen fuel is abundant, versatile, and can be used in a variety of applications.
• It has less energy per unit volume than fossil fuels, contributing to its higher price.
• Other factors include production method, proximity to the end user, and transportation costs.
• The price is falling as demand increases, but initial investments are still required for equipment replacement/transition and infrastructure implementation.
As appealing as H2 is for decarbonization, its price tag remains a barrier to transition for some.
Hydrogen fuel is among the most promising energy sources in the global transition away from fossil fuels. It is abundant, can be produced in many ways, and can be used in a broad spectrum of applications from home heating and personal transportation to heavy machinery and industry.
With all that said, many wonder why H2 remains comparatively expensive.
On its most basic level, hydrogen fuel contains less energy per unit volume than the fossil fuels it would be replacing. Therefore, according to the US Department of Energy (DoE), “transporting, storing, and delivering it to the point of end-use is more expensive on a per gasoline gallon equivalent basis.”
Of course, the final cost of H2 has to do with many different factors, ranging from where it is produced to the method of production and everything in between. Other issues that help to determine the final price tag of its use include the proximity of the end user to the production site.
After all, if the H2 is being made on-site at a refueling location, any costs associated with its transportation are eliminated.
The price of hydrogen fuel itself is falling, but its adoption requires initial investments.
As H2 production rates climb to suit rising demand, its price is falling. That said, the ultimate goal in using this form of energy as a part of decarbonization strategies worldwide involves producing it using methods that do not generate carbon emissions. After all, if the point of transitioning to H2 is to achieve carbon neutrality goals, producing it using methods that will still emit greenhouse gases is pointless.
Therefore, the largest expense expected to be associated with a transition to hydrogen fuel isn’t the H2 itself. That will likely to be cost competitive once it is produced at scale. In fact, many experts are indicating that it could end up being cheaper than the fossil fuels it is replacing.
Initial costs
Instead, the largest expenses are expected to be linked with the replacement or retrofitting of equipment that currently runs on fossil fuels, as well as the implementation of the infrastructure to produce H2 using renewable energy (known as green hydrogen), transport, store and distribute it.
“Building a new hydrogen pipeline network involves high initial capital costs, and hydrogen’s properties present unique challenges to pipeline materials and compressor design,” says the DoE website. “However, because hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of resources, regional or even local hydrogen production can maximize use of local resources and minimize distribution challenges.”
A Look at today’s hydrogen fuel cost for cars
At the California hydrogen stations, a kilogram of hydrogen costs between $15 and $17, making it more expensive than gasoline. UPDATE: Just recently in August of 2023, fuel cell drivers have seen a huge increase to $29 at California pumps. Although, fuel cells are approximately 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines, providing users with better fuel efficiency. Additionally, most fuel cell car manufacturers offer three years’ worth of free fuel with a vehicle purchase. It costs around $80 to fill up a 37.5-gallon tank in the 2022 Toyota Mirai XLE sedan, which has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 402 miles, and the 2022 Toyota Mirai Limited has a range of up to 357 miles. Not too shabby.
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Hydrogen – its present cost composition outlined very clearly and comprehensively as to why ii is expensive per se vis-a-vis fossil fuels
Hydrogen production information.
1) It takes about 39. 4 Kwh of electricity to produce 1 kilogram of hydrogen gas.
2) If the electrolyzer has a power of 1Kwh, then it will take 39. er4 hours to use 39. 4 Kwh of electricity.
3) The more powerful the electrolyzer you use, the less time it will take.
4) If you use a 5KW electrolyzer, thhen it will take only 7. 88 hours to produce 39. 4 Kwh.
An example of making hydrogen.
9 Liters of water were taken and 5 Kv supply was given to that water and 1 liter of sulfuric acid was mixed in it and the mixture was heated to 80 degree Celsius.
If above is kept constant, in how much time and how much electricity will 1 kg of hydrogen be produced?
——-> Answer
Temperature 80°C and electrolyte (sulfuric acid) have a significant effect on the electrolysis process.
1) Effect of temperature.
0 In general, the electrolysis process is more effective at higher temperatures.
Above 80°C, water ionizes more rapidly. Because of which
The rate of electrolysis increases and the rate of hydrogen gas production increases.
0 Heat improves the efficiency of the electrolyzer and speeds up the process.
Increasing the temperature makes the ions of the electrolyte more active
Hydrogen can be produced in a short time.
2)Effect of electrolyte sulfuric acid.
0 Sulfuric acid is an excellent electrolyte in the electrolysis process.
Its presence increases the conductivity of ions from water, which from the electrodes
Improves the transfer of electrons, thereby increasing the consumption of electricity
becomes effective.
The presence of electrolyte and its concentration help speed up the process
does Because the rate of interaction in the electrolysis process increases.
3) Aggregate results.
0 to 80°C temperature and sulfuric acid
In the presence, the rate of hydrogen production is normal temperature
(25°C) and with little or no electrolytes
It can usually increase 2-3 times compared to the situation.
0 This means if 1 kg of hydrogen takes approximately 7.88 hours to produce
(with 5 KW power supply) while temperature and electrolyte effects
Considering that 1 kg of hydrogen is produced in about 3 to 4 hours
will be
Final conclusion.
0 Average time 7. 88 hours (when temperature is normal and electrolyte
does not exist).
0 If the speed of hydrogen ions is increased (80°C and sulfuric
(In case of acid electrolyte) it takes about 3 to 4 hours.
————————————————– ————————————————– ———-
General information
a) 15 kw to make 1 kg of hydrogen in 3 hours means – 15 units of electricity
will need
b) 2 kw to keep water constant at 80 degree Celsius for 3 hours
That means 2 units of electricity will be required.
c) 1 kg of such hydrogen is produced in 15+2=17 units.
If the cost of 1 unit is Rs.5,
17x 5=Rs.85 cost + 1 liter of sulfuric acid cost approx.Rs.20
If there is, it will cost approximately 125 rupees.
d) 1 kg of hydrogen will cost around Rs.125.
e) 33.6 Kwh electricity from 1kg hydrogen by fuel cell
gets
f) From 1 kg of hydrogen if the fuel cell efficiency is 50%
16.8Kwh electricity is generated.
g) 17Kwh of electricity is required to make 1 kg of hydrogen and
1 kg of hydrogen produces 33.Kwh or 16.8Kwh of electricity.
h) Means 17Kwh of electricity to be given and 33.6 Kwh to be taken. or 16.8Kwh
to take [email protected]
Producing hydrogen at the fuel pump using a decentralized electrolyzer is quite a bit into the future. Electrolysis is becoming more efficient by scaling up production. Producing hydrogen by decarbonizing hydrocarbons is less expensive than electrolysis. Some of the hydrocarbon processing require carbon sequestration, however, one process in particular leaves the carbon underground at the well site, trapped in the mineral deposits. More great advances to come in improving H2 availability.
The reason hydrogen production costs are higher than gasoline is the lack of infrastructure geared to make production considerable less expense. For example, technological energy advances using nano rippled graphene are real and this product will make renewable energy options considerable less expensive. For example, won’t it be amazing add the electrical properties of nanorippled graphene as the base layer in Sadia Arabia’s amazing 35% efficient perovskite/silicon solar cell. Solar farms in deserts worldwide would increase their energy efficiency 15% or more. This alone could drop the cost of producing hydrogen well below its current energy cost by using these improved solar farms. Similar results could occur in other renewable energy methods as well. For example, using ocean water hydrogen electrolysers, home hydrogen generators, hydrogen fuel cells, seawater sodium-sulfur and lithium batteries, wind turbines, seawater filters and many other electrical products. Their lies the problem with not making a hydrogen energy transformation, depleting oil and natural gas will only become more costly not less. Best to develop future energy strategy with these facts in mind and secure energy independence as soon as possible.
Currently H2 statins charging about 25/kg to 30/kg, As far as infrastructure cost, Government is giving almost 75% cost money, so why H2 cost is keeps going up, California giving 20 milion per yesr for new H2 pumps.
I would check those calculations as the actual price in the Bay Area is $27!!!! So the math doesn’t add up if a tank cost $160 and gets you 340 miles max.
I have a hydrogen Hyundai and got the gas credit for 3 years but is not projecting to be only enough for 2 year. So I will have to add $5000 ish extra.
My advice: do not get a hydrogen car. Is too expensive and VERY cumbersome to fuel. Gas stations break all the time.
Technology needs years of development and reliability
The price of hydrogen at the fueling station went from $16-17 to $29 in 9 months ! That makes this alternative unreliable, expensive and not convenient.
Where did you get your pricing for hydrogen in California? The prices are substancailly higher than your stated $10-$17/kg
Por que se engoña a la gente , pasando esta nota de qe el hidrógeno cuesta de 10 a 17 dólares en California cuando cuesta 29 dólares el kilo y no rinde lo sugerido . Un tanque de hidrógeno rinde menos que un tanque del carro llenos de gasolina
At Concord, CA station, it was $36/kg this morning, for crying out loud. It translates that hydrogen’s cost/mile is about 4 times of gasoline’s.
$36/kg here too in the South Bay. This is not how you build a market, this is gouging.
Just paid $36 per kg which is one gallon gas equivalent and I don’t have a free fuel card. I’m in Thousand Oaks CA and somebody needs to get at least 10 people in different locations and just sit there and refuse to leave until they lower these totally obscene fuel prices !! Call out the media let everybody know what these crooks are doing. Stay there locked in your vehicle and tie up the line so they get zero business as that is what they deserve and should refund everyone they have stolen from.
36/ kg South san jose . Is to expensive I don’t have a refuel card . There’s something need to be done. About this prices . Not worth it