Long-term valuation of hydrogen production using polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers considering aging concerns

Hydrogen is poised to play a pivotal role in the future energy landscape as a flexible energy storage medium across diverse applications. Among hydrogen production technologies, polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) have garnered significant attention due to their efficient dynamic response to control signals and potential for compact system design. While some studies have explored the long-term value of PEMWEs, the effects of degradation are often overlooked, introducing substantial uncertainty into their economic assessments. This work underscores the critical impact of degradation phenomena on the long-term value of PEMWE systems given that the projected hydrogen production cost for one case study can differ by 300% depending on which experimental study is the source of degradation data. Here, we analyze the uncertainties inherent in cost valuation for PEMWE-based hydrogen production by providing a review of existing literature, with a focus on experimental degradation data and durability assessment methods. Our analysis reveals substantial variability and gaps in existing studies, with reported membrane degradation tests differing by up to a factor of 17 in expected operating hours before failure. This work helps to quantify the uncertainty in electrolyzer valuation studies and emphasizes the need for further direct testing of PEMWE systems under application-specific conditions. Addressing these challenges is essential to improve long-term economic assessments and unlock the full potential of PEMWE technology for hydrogen production.