Development of Electrolysis Technologies for Hydrogen Production in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The list of solutions contributing to the reduction of carbon intensity of the Russian fuel and energy complex was considered. The optimum for the Russian Federation technological scheme of hydrogen production by electrolysis method was identified. It was shown that, by 2040, in case of technological progress, the net present value of plants for the production of hydrogen by alkaline electrolysis will be about 35 K US dollars/kW, plants with a solid polymer electrolyzer – 30 K US dollars/kW, and with a solid oxide electrolyzer – 26 K USD/kW. As a feasibility study for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis with the generation of electricity from wind farms with further use in industrial processes of direct reduction of iron ore for the production of fossil-free steel, as well as a region in the Russian Federation was selected for a pilot project. It was found that, in order to achieve commercial attractiveness of hydrogen production by electrolysis, the minimum amount of state subsidies should be at least 10% of capital costs starting from 2022 with a gradual increase to 20% by 2040 to support the emerging market.