Jack Loughran Fri 12 Jul 2024
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2024/07/12/zeroavia-slashes-cost-hydrogen-production-using-ai
The cost of producing hydrogen has been cut by 20% thanks to an AI programme developed by aviation start-up ZeroAvia.
The firm, which is developing hydrogen-fuelled aircraft, said that real-world testing of its Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software (SHAIPS) can achieve the reduction in the cost of green hydrogen production compared to an electrolyser that generates based on the average electricity wholesale price.
Green hydrogen, as opposed to blue hydrogen, is produced through electrolysis using a highly energy-intensive process from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydropower. It results in minimal carbon emissions, making it sustainable and environmentally friendly. However, it is currently more expensive due to high costs associated with renewable energy and electrolysis technology.
In contrast, blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming or autothermal reforming, but does not offer as many potential carbon-reduction benefits.
In order to test the software on real hardware, ZeroAvia developed a working sub-scale smart microgrid in California, which included renewable generation, a battery storage system, electrolysers and gaseous hydrogen storage.
The SHAIPS software allows hydrogen producers to set a limit on the carbon intensity of hydrogen production, which means it should be able to qualify for the most generous subsidies in their geography.
With ZeroAvia’s approach, excess renewable electricity can be stored as hydrogen or in batteries, or sold back to the grid. The system will also draw capacity from the grid for hydrogen production at periods of low carbon intensity energy and low cost, with the microgrid solar energy preserved in battery storage for use when most economically and environmentally sound.
ZeroAvia said that major policy initiatives are already pushing the world towards an era of low-cost hydrogen production. In the EU, for example, mandates now require member states to build hydrogen refuelling stations at fixed intervals, and a newly established EU Hydrogen Bank will provide projects with fixed premium support.
Val Miftakhov, ZeroAvia CEO, said: “Tomorrow’s aviation fuel can be made from water and sunlight with today’s technology – the only question is cost.
“Our advanced software team has delivered an impactful application that can provide end users in aviation, transport and other industries the clean hydrogen fuel they need to operate, at costs that work for all parties. It is inevitable that the levelised cost of hydrogen will fall over time, but we are seeking to accelerate that transition through innovation.”
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