Hydrogen generation has skyrocketed in recent years as organizations search for viable alternative energy sources to power vehicles, backup power, and more. Although several methods exist to generate hydrogen, green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy-fueled electrolysis is gaining popularity due to its sustainability and potential to reduce carbon emissions.
Power supplies are critical for successful electrolysis, and the right one can boost energy efficiency. Understanding electrolysis power requirements is the first step to making the right choice and increasing profitability.
Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electricity to split an H2O into its element, Hydrogen, and oxygen. It's most commonly used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, generating hydrogen as an alternative power source.
The process works by placing two electrodes in a water-filled container. The electrodes are connected to a power source. As the electricity flows through the electrodes, it causes a chemical reaction in the water.
Positively charged ions from the water are attracted to the anode and give up electrons, creating oxygen gas. The cathode attracts negatively charged ions and gains electrodes, forming hydrogen gas. You can collect the hydrogen and oxygen separately.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. Electrolysis is essential to extract hydrogen for clean, green power generation, but the process is energy-intensive. The faster you generate hydrogen, the more power you need per kilogram, making power supplies for electrolysis critical in your decision-making process.
As an effective form of hydrogen generation, electrolysis is critical in many industries that rely on hydrogen, from rocket fuel production and refining petroleum to hydrogen fuel cells in energy generation and powering vehicles.
Understanding what power supply is needed for electrolysis is the first step to creating an economically viable hydrogen generation strategy. Electrolysis power supplies vary, depending on the energy source. As the process requires a great deal of power, grid electricity has proved the most reliable power source. However, it comes with considerable expense and causes greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy sources are a viable option, although less reliable than the power grid.
An electrolysis system with no inefficiencies would require 39.4 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity to produce a kilogram of hydrogen. Most commercial devices have some inefficiencies, so a standard operating amount is about 50 kWh per kilogram. Hydrogen generation is an excellent way of reaching national sustainability goals, but energy efficiency is a chief consideration. The higher the cost per kilogram, the less accessible the technology becomes.
Efficiency is critical for electrolysis operations, as power consumption is the chief operating cost. On a large production scale, you must consider several efficiency parameters to get an accurate view of the overall picture:
Several strategies exist for optimizing energy efficiency in electrolysis, including choosing high-efficiency electrolyzers and using thermal management systems.
Two primary types of power supplies exist for hydrolysis:
Choosing the correct power supply for hydrogen production involves more than selecting the best type. It's important to assess several other factors to boost operational efficiency, including:
Specialized electrolysis applications face unique challenges. Heat is the most common issue, as electrolytic capacitors degrade faster in high ambient temperatures. It's also essential to consider the total cost of ownership, including energy losses over your power supply's useful life.
As more organizations move from grid energy to renewable electricity, custom power supplies for electrolysis have come to the fore. These power supplies can meet the unique power requirements of hydrogen generation in the following ways:
Powering electrolysis involves meeting unique and demanding power requirements. Working with a power supply manufacturer that understands the rigors of hydrogen generation is essential to finding the best solutions for your application. No matter what type of power supply you need, Astrodyne TDI can help.
Astrodyne TDI has been an industry-leading power provider for decades, meeting our client's needs in numerous power applications across various industries. We offer custom solutions for even the most robust environments, regardless of your application's challenges. Our experienced team will walk you through the options and help you choose the best power supplies for your hydrogen generation requirements.
Get in touch with us today to learn more or request a quote, and let us worry about the power so you don't have to.