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A Review of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Studies for Hydrogen Production Technologies through Water Electrolysis: Recent Advances

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  • Negar Shaya

    (Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Management, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (TU BAF), 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Simon Glöser-Chahoud

    (Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Management, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (TU BAF), 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

Abstract

Climate change is a major concern for the sustainable development of global energy systems. Hydrogen produced through water electrolysis offers a crucial solution by storing and generating renewable energy with minimal environmental impact, thereby reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector. Our research evaluates current hydrogen production technologies, such as alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC), and anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). We systematically review life cycle assessments (LCA) for these technologies, analyzing their environmental impacts and recent technological advancements. This study fills essential gaps by providing detailed LCAs for emerging technologies and evaluating their scalability and environmental footprints. Our analysis outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each technology, guiding future research and assisting stakeholders in making informed decisions about integrating hydrogen production into the global energy mix. Our approach highlights operational efficiencies and potential sustainability enhancements by employing comparative analyses and reviewing advancements in membrane technology and electrocatalysts. A significant finding is that PEMWE when integrated with renewable energy sources, offers rapid response capabilities that are vital for adaptive energy systems and reducing carbon footprints.

Suggested Citation

  • Negar Shaya & Simon Glöser-Chahoud, 2024. "A Review of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Studies for Hydrogen Production Technologies through Water Electrolysis: Recent Advances," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3968-:d:1453816
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vincent, Immanuel & Bessarabov, Dmitri, 2018. "Low cost hydrogen production by anion exchange membrane electrolysis: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1690-1704.
    2. Ana P. R. A. Ferreira & Raisa C. P. Oliveira & Maria Margarida Mateus & Diogo M. F. Santos, 2023. "A Review of the Use of Electrolytic Cells for Energy and Environmental Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-33, February.
    3. Papakonstantinou, Georgios & Algara-Siller, Gerardo & Teschner, Detre & Vidaković-Koch, Tanja & Schlögl, Robert & Sundmacher, Kai, 2020. "Degradation study of a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer under dynamic operation conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    4. Bareiß, Kay & de la Rua, Cristina & Möckl, Maximilian & Hamacher, Thomas, 2019. "Life cycle assessment of hydrogen from proton exchange membrane water electrolysis in future energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 862-872.
    5. Gayatri Udaysinh Ingale & Hyun-Min Kwon & Soohwa Jeong & Dongho Park & Whidong Kim & Byeingryeol Bang & Young-Il Lim & Sung Won Kim & Youn-Bae Kang & Jungsoo Mun & Sunwoo Jun & Uendo Lee, 2022. "Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydrogen Production Processes: Turquoise Hydrogen vs. Steam Methane Reforming," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.
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    2. Luciano T. Barbosa & Pedro A. C. Rosas & José F. C. Castro & Samuel D. Vasconcelos & Paulo H. R. P. Gama & Douglas C. P. Barbosa, 2025. "Proposal for an Energy Efficiency Index for Green Hydrogen Production—An Integrated Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-29, June.
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    5. Annika C. Hoppe & Christine Minke, 2025. "Reducing Environmental Impacts of Water Electrolysis Systems by Reuse and Recycling: Life Cycle Assessment of a 5 MW Alkaline Water Electrolysis Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.

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