High-temperature electrolysis integrated with advanced power cycles for the combined production of green hydrogen, heat and power

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2024-12, Vol.322, p.119121, Article 119121
• Main Authors: Baiguini, Mattia, Di Marcoberardino, Gioele, Giulio Iora, Paolo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 mixtures; High temperature electrolysis; Hydrogen production; Power cycle modelling; Techno-economic analysis
• ISSN: 0196-8904
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119121

[Display omitted] •A novel combined power, heat and hydrogen plant is proposed.•The adoption of CO2 mixtures and pure SiCl4 in the power block allows high performance.•High temperature electrolysis grants efficiency and production up to 76 % and 276 kg/hr.•LCOH can drops down to 2 €/kg as a results of multigeneration. In recent decades, the demand for hydrogen has experienced significant growth due to its versatility in industrial processes and its role as an energy carrier for the transition to sustainable energy. This paper analyses the integration of a hydrogen production system utilizing a high-temperature electrolyser with a power block fuelled by the incineration of municipal solid waste. The power cycle employs both innovative CO2 mixture and pure working fluids. The study begins with the simulation of the thermodynamic cycle for electricity production, followed by the modelling of the high-temperature electrolyser cell. Subsequently, the integration between these two units is examined to determine the optimal point for hydrogen production. Moreover, due to the cycle layout, thermal power for district heating can be exploit as useful output. A techno-economic analysis is then conducted to estimate the design parameters that can ensure minimal costs. Considering an incinerator facility with a combustion capacity of 40 MW, the results demonstrate that the electrolyser system can achieve an efficiency up to 76 % and an hydrogen levelized cost as low as 2 €/kg, subject to various constraints, facilitated by the simultaneous production of electricity and hot water for district heating reaching values up to 10 MW and 4 MW respectively.