Hydrogen Production by Solar Reforming of Natural Gas: A Comparison Study of Two Possible Process Configurations

Abstract

Solar steam reforming of natural gas (NG) is a possibility to lower the cost for introducing renewable hydrogen production technologies to the market by a combination of fossil fuel and solar energy. It comprises the production of hydrogen from NG and steam that acts as a chemical storage for hydrogen and solar energy as the renewable energy source to heat up the system and set free the hydrogen. Using the solar reformer technology fuel savings of up to 40% compared to a conventional plant are expected. The CO2 emissions can be reduced accordingly. The cost study shows that hydrogen produced by solar reforming might cost between 4.5 and 4.7ct€∕kWh (LHV of H2) today. Therefore, it is only about 20% more expensive than conventionally produced hydrogen. Rising prices for NG will result in favorable conditions for the solar technology.