Investigation of hydrogen production cost by geothermal energy

Abstract

Geothermal energy has a significant potential on hydrogen economy where it can contribute sustainable production of hydrogen by renewable energy sources. In this paper, using geothermal electricity in hydrogen production by electrolysis is investigated. The cost of producing one kg of hydrogen by electrolysis as functions of temperature and mass flow rate of geothermal fluid for steam and binary cycles is studied. The analysis is based on an economic model of geothermal power production. The results show that the cost of hydrogen is inversely proportional to both the geothermal resource temperature and mass flow rate.