Comparative study of hydrogen production methods based on efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility
Ayan, Musanna (2026)
Kandidaatintyö
2026
School of Energy Systems, Energiatekniikka
Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026041828724
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026041828724
Tiivistelmä
This study evaluates major hydrogen production pathways using three performance indicators: levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), system energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions. The evaluated pathways include fossil fuel–based technologies (steam methane reforming, coal gasification, and autothermal reforming), biomass conversion routes (biomass gasification and biomass pyrolysis), and electrolysis technologies (alkaline, proton exchange membrane, anion exchange membrane, and solid oxide electrolysis). The comparison is conducted using harmonized system boundaries and consistent financial assumptions.
The results show that steam methane reforming provides the lowest hydrogen production cost at 0.98 €/kg H₂, followed by autothermal reforming at 1.14 €/kg H₂ and coal gasification at 1.34 €/kg H₂. Biomass-based pathways result in costs between 2.34 and 2.57 €/kg H₂, while electrolysis technologies range from 4.92 to 6.04 €/kg H₂. System efficiencies vary between 57.5% and 75.7%, with autothermal reforming achieving the highest efficiency. In terms of environmental performance, fossil grid-powered electrolysis yields the highest emissions, on average approximately 24.3 kgCO₂-eq/kg H₂. However, electrolysis when powered by renewable energy results in the lowest emissions of approximately 1.2–1.6 kgCO₂-eq/kg H₂.
Sensitivity analysis indicates that hydrogen production costs are strongly influenced by energy price variability. Fossil-based pathways are primarily affected by methane price, while electrolysis technologies are highly sensitive to electricity price, with LCOH increasing substantially across the examined range.
Overall, the results highlight the trade-offs between economic cost, energy efficiency, and environmental impact among different hydrogen production technologies.
The results show that steam methane reforming provides the lowest hydrogen production cost at 0.98 €/kg H₂, followed by autothermal reforming at 1.14 €/kg H₂ and coal gasification at 1.34 €/kg H₂. Biomass-based pathways result in costs between 2.34 and 2.57 €/kg H₂, while electrolysis technologies range from 4.92 to 6.04 €/kg H₂. System efficiencies vary between 57.5% and 75.7%, with autothermal reforming achieving the highest efficiency. In terms of environmental performance, fossil grid-powered electrolysis yields the highest emissions, on average approximately 24.3 kgCO₂-eq/kg H₂. However, electrolysis when powered by renewable energy results in the lowest emissions of approximately 1.2–1.6 kgCO₂-eq/kg H₂.
Sensitivity analysis indicates that hydrogen production costs are strongly influenced by energy price variability. Fossil-based pathways are primarily affected by methane price, while electrolysis technologies are highly sensitive to electricity price, with LCOH increasing substantially across the examined range.
Overall, the results highlight the trade-offs between economic cost, energy efficiency, and environmental impact among different hydrogen production technologies.