A life-cycle cost model for power-to-fuel technologies, including production, storage, transportation, and refueling processes, was developed to evaluate four types of power-to-fuel options: proton exchange membrane electrolysis hydrogen, single-step methanol synthesis, two-step methanol synthesis, and ammonia synthesis. The study compares cost sensitivity factors (scale, reaction efficiency, and electricity price) based on unit calorific value costs. Results indicate that electricity price significantly affects overall costs, with two-step methanol synthesis being the most cost-effective. Single-step methanol synthesis has the highest life-cycle cost due to efficiency and electricity price limitations, but it becomes the cheapest when efficiency reaches 80% and electricity price drops to 0.05 CNY/kWh. The impact of transport distance on storage and transport costs for methanol and ammonia showed they are significantly lower than hydrogen, suggesting methanol and ammonia can serve as effective hydrogen carriers, reducing costs and improving safety.
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Life cycle cost analysis of power-to-fuel from renewable energy
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January 2025
Research Article|
January 29 2025
Life cycle cost analysis of power-to-fuel from renewable energy
Gaoqun Zhang;
Gaoqun Zhang
(Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing)
1
Beijing Smart Energy Research Institute, Beijing 101499
, China
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Jiahua Li;
Jiahua Li
(Data curation, Formal analysis)
1
Beijing Smart Energy Research Institute, Beijing 101499
, China
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Yanyan Huang
;
Yanyan Huang
(Investigation, Writing – review & editing)
2
Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University
, Chongqing 400030, China
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Zhanfeng Deng;
Zhanfeng Deng
(Project administration, Supervision)
1
Beijing Smart Energy Research Institute, Beijing 101499
, China
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Kang Zhang;
Kang Zhang
(Validation)
3
State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Science Research Institute
, Qu Zhou 325028, Zhejiang, China
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Hongkun Lv;
Hongkun Lv
(Project administration)
3
State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Science Research Institute
, Qu Zhou 325028, Zhejiang, China
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Liang Zhang
Liang Zhang
a)
(Conceptualization, Project administration, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing)
2
Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University
, Chongqing 400030, China
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]. Tel.: +86-23-65103102. Fax: +86-23-65102474
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a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]. Tel.: +86-23-65103102. Fax: +86-23-65102474
J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 17, 015903 (2025)
Article history
Received:
September 27 2024
Accepted:
January 14 2025
Citation
Gaoqun Zhang, Jiahua Li, Yanyan Huang, Zhanfeng Deng, Kang Zhang, Hongkun Lv, Liang Zhang; Life cycle cost analysis of power-to-fuel from renewable energy. J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 1 January 2025; 17 (1): 015903. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0240996
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