Pathways to electrochemical solar-hydrogen technologies

^a University of California Irvine, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Irvine, California, USA
E-mail: ardo@uci.edu

^b University of Twente, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, Enschede, The Netherlands
E-mail: d.fernandezrivas@utwente.nl

^c New York University, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA
E-mail: modestino@nyu.edu

^d University of Twente, Department of Science, Technology and Policy Studies, Enschede, The Netherlands
E-mail: verena.schulzegreiving@gmail.com

^e Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Institute for Solar Fuels, Berlin, Germany

^f Amolf Institute, Center for Nanophotonics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

^g Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, Grenoble, France

^h Proton OnSite, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, USA

ⁱ Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland

^j Forschungszentrum Jülich, IEK-5 Photovoltaik, Jülich, Germany

^k University of Groningen, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands

^l Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania 18195-1501, USA

^m University of Leiden, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden, The Netherlands

ⁿ École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Applied Photonics Devices (LAPD), Lausanne, Switzerland

^o Delft University of Technology, Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage (MECS), Department of Chemical Engineering, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands

^p Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

^q Uppsala University, Department of Engineering Sciences – Solid State Physics, Uppsala, Sweden

^r University of Kitakyushu, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan

^s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Optics Laboratory (LO), Lausanne, Switzerland

^t École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering (LRESE), Lausanne, Switzerland

^u Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA

^v University of Twente, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecular Nanofabrication Group, Enschede, The Netherlands

^w Strategic Analysis Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22203, USA

^x Tokyo University of Science, Faculty of Science, Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan

^y University of Twente, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Physics of Fluids Group, Enschede, The Netherlands

^z University of Twente, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Photocatalytic Synthesis Group, Enschede, The Netherlands

^aa U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Fuel Cell Technologies Office, EE-3F, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA

^ab Arizona State University, School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery (CASD), Tempe, Arizona 85287-1604, USA

^ac Institutt for Energiteknikk, Kjeller, Norway

^ad University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK

^ae California Institute of Technology, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Pasadena, California 91125, USA

^af Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), PV Center, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

^ag Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Physics, Lyngby, Denmark

^ah Catalytic Innovations, Fall River, Massachusetts 02723, USA

^ai University of Louisville, Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA

^aj Drexel University, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA

Abstract

Solar-powered electrochemical production of hydrogen through water electrolysis is an active and important research endeavor. However, technologies and roadmaps for implementation of this process do not exist. In this perspective paper, we describe potential pathways for solar-hydrogen technologies into the marketplace in the form of photoelectrochemical or photovoltaic-driven electrolysis devices and systems. We detail technical approaches for device and system architectures, economic drivers, societal perceptions, political impacts, technological challenges, and research opportunities. Implementation scenarios are broken down into short-term and long-term markets, and a specific technology roadmap is defined. In the short term, the only plausible economical option will be photovoltaic-driven electrolysis systems for niche applications. In the long term, electrochemical solar-hydrogen technologies could be deployed more broadly in energy markets but will require advances in the technology, significant cost reductions, and/or policy changes. Ultimately, a transition to a society that significantly relies on solar-hydrogen technologies will benefit from continued creativity and influence from the scientific community.

This article is part of the themed collection: 2018 Energy and Environmental Science HOT Articles

Energy & Environmental Science