Technology
What is it?
Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen via the application of an electric current, using a porous diaphragm and an alkaline electrolyte.
Why is it important?
Alkaline electrolysis is an established technology which is already being employed at industrial scale.
Characteristics
- Inputs: Water, electricity
- By-products: Oxygen
- Operating temperature: <100°C
- Energy efficiency: ~69%
Benefits
- Well established supply chain and manufacturing capacity
- Large stack sizes available
- Long-term stability
- Low capital cost
- Non-noble materials
- Mature technology
- Large stack sizes available (in MW range)
Limitations
- High minimum load requirement (20%–40%)
- Limited dynamic operation (requires stable load)
- Corrosive liquid electrolyte
- Large footprint
- Does not accommodate variability of power supply as well as other electrochemical methods
- Crossover of gases leads to lower degree of purity, and reduced efficiency due to re-formation of water
- Low current density
RD&D priorities
- Improve operational flexibility
- Enable higher temperature operation
- Improve oxygen evolution
- Achieve higher pressure operation
Known active organisations
- Curtin University
- Monash University
- Queensland University of Technology
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of New South Wales
- The University of Western Australia