Green Hydrogen is elementar(h)y for climate protection and for achieving a net zero society because it is a clean, storable, and versatile energy source.
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PEM electrolyzers can achieve high efficiency in converting electricity to hydrogen, which is critical for reducing energy losses and operating costs.
PEM electrolyzers produce hydrogen with very high purity (up to 99.999%), which is crucial for applications requiring high-grade hydrogen, such as fuel cells and certain industrial processes.
The design of PEM electrolyzers allows for a more compact and lightweight system compared to alkaline electrolyzers. This makes them suitable for applications with space constraints, such as in mobile and aerospace applications, as well as decentralized hydrogen production.
PEM electrolyzers have a fast response time to changes in power supply, which makes them ideal for integration with intermittent renewable electricity like wind and solar power. This capability allows for efficient load balancing and energy storage in the form of hydrogen.
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The initial investment for PEM electrolyzers is higher due to the cost of materials, particularly the noble metals (such as platinum and iridium) used as catalysts.
The reliance on rare and expensive materials like iridium for the catalysts poses a risk of supply chain constraints and price volatility. For example, iridium is mostly extracted in South Africa in a basket with several other metals, making its availability limited.
The materials used in PEM electrolyzers, especially the membrane, electrodes and catalysts, can degrade over time, reducing efficiency and requiring replacement. This impacts the long-term operational costs and reliability.
While PEM electrolyzers are efficient for small to medium-scale operations, scaling up to very large industrial scales can be challenging and more costly.
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