Techno-economic analysis and experimental validation of solar-assisted low-temperature water electrolysis for green hydrogen production: Insights from Afyonkarahisar

This study explores green hydrogen production via low-temperature water electrolysis powered by regional solar energy. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was conducted to evaluate hydrogen production flow rate and unit costs using computational models developed in the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and Aspen Plus software. Experimental setups at Afyon Kocatepe University's energy laboratories were designed to validate these models, showing close alignment between computational and experimental results. Key findings demonstrate the feasibility of solar-assisted hydrogen production, with energy requirements reduced to 52.12 kWh/kg H2 by preheating water to 360 K. The small-scale prototype achieved a maximum hydrogen production rate of 1.829 x 10-6 kg/s, with energy and exergy efficiencies of 64.0 % and 62.46 %, respectively. The calculated levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) was 5.84 $/kg H2, with a payback period of 6.9 years, indicating long-term economic viability. This research also introduced novel electrode configurations and fluid variations, optimizing system efficiency under an average solar irradiance of 600 W/m2. This study supports the technical and economic feasibility of solar-driven hydrogen production in the Afyon region by assessing energy, exergy, and techno-economic parameters. It underscores its potential to reduce energy costs and contribute to Turkey's energy security. The study highlights limitations, including the challenges of scaling up and solar irradiance variability, and suggests avenues for future research to optimize further and expand this technology.