Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers
Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in decarbonizing different heavy industries and the transportation sector. Water electrolysis is, therefore, one of the most rapidly spreading energy technologies, with PEM electrolyzers taking a continuously increasing share in the technology mix. Most...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2154 |
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| author | Balázs Endrődi Cintia Alexandra Trapp István Szén Imre Bakos Miklós Lukovics Csaba Janáky |
| author_facet | Balázs Endrődi Cintia Alexandra Trapp István Szén Imre Bakos Miklós Lukovics Csaba Janáky |
| author_sort | Balázs Endrődi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in decarbonizing different heavy industries and the transportation sector. Water electrolysis is, therefore, one of the most rapidly spreading energy technologies, with PEM electrolyzers taking a continuously increasing share in the technology mix. Most often, the aim is to form green hydrogen, utilizing electricity exclusively of renewable origin. The intermittency of such sources, however, poses several technological challenges and financial questions. Focusing on PEM electrolyzers, we discuss the effect of pressure, temperature, and reaction rate changes, induced by the intermittent operation, and general thoughts regarding system component erosion caused by the regular start–stop cycles are also considered. As a case study, we present a high-level techno-economic analysis of data from a pilot 1 MW PEM electrolysis system, coupled to a 20 MW PV farm, deployed in Hungary. We underscore the importance of the often overlooked local regulations and financial incentives, which strongly influence the most beneficial operation scenario. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c1c66b0c59ed4d6d9ea9cb8d4a124b46 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-c1c66b0c59ed4d6d9ea9cb8d4a124b462025-08-20T03:52:57ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01189215410.3390/en18092154Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water ElectrolyzersBalázs Endrődi0Cintia Alexandra Trapp1István Szén2Imre Bakos3Miklós Lukovics4Csaba Janáky5Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Square 1, 6720 Szeged, HungaryInterdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, Dugonics Sq. 13, 6720 Szeged, HungaryBükkábrányi Fotovoltaikus Erőmű Projekt Kft, Váci utca 38, 1056 Budapest, HungaryBükkábrányi Fotovoltaikus Erőmű Projekt Kft, Váci utca 38, 1056 Budapest, HungaryInterdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, Dugonics Sq. 13, 6720 Szeged, HungaryDepartment of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Square 1, 6720 Szeged, HungaryHydrogen is expected to play an important role in decarbonizing different heavy industries and the transportation sector. Water electrolysis is, therefore, one of the most rapidly spreading energy technologies, with PEM electrolyzers taking a continuously increasing share in the technology mix. Most often, the aim is to form green hydrogen, utilizing electricity exclusively of renewable origin. The intermittency of such sources, however, poses several technological challenges and financial questions. Focusing on PEM electrolyzers, we discuss the effect of pressure, temperature, and reaction rate changes, induced by the intermittent operation, and general thoughts regarding system component erosion caused by the regular start–stop cycles are also considered. As a case study, we present a high-level techno-economic analysis of data from a pilot 1 MW PEM electrolysis system, coupled to a 20 MW PV farm, deployed in Hungary. We underscore the importance of the often overlooked local regulations and financial incentives, which strongly influence the most beneficial operation scenario.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2154green hydrogenrenewable energycharge storagegrid balancingpower-clipping |
| spellingShingle | Balázs Endrődi Cintia Alexandra Trapp István Szén Imre Bakos Miklós Lukovics Csaba Janáky Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers Energies green hydrogen renewable energy charge storage grid balancing power-clipping |
| title | Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers |
| title_full | Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers |
| title_fullStr | Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers |
| title_short | Challenges and Opportunities of the Dynamic Operation of PEM Water Electrolyzers |
| title_sort | challenges and opportunities of the dynamic operation of pem water electrolyzers |
| topic | green hydrogen renewable energy charge storage grid balancing power-clipping |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2154 |
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