Comparing the cost of hydrogen to other fuels is not as simple as it first seems. Figures are quoted in BTU, KW, KG, m3, kilojoules, megajoules, GGE and so on. In order to compare like with like here is a short explanation:
1 kg of H2=11,1 m3 H2=33,3 kWh
GGE is the gasoline gallon equivalent in kWh/gal.
1 GGE = 33.4 kWh. This amount of hydrogen costs $ 15 in the USA and £ 10 in the UK
Hence, 1 kWh of bottled hydrogen costs $ 0,449 in the USA and £ 0,33 in the UK
11,1 m3 (1 GGE) H2=33,3 kWh costs € 4,94 to produce
This means 1 kWh costs € 0,149 (equivalent to $ 0,16 or £ 0,13)
The cost per kWh of FUEL PRO is much less than half the cost of bottled hydrogen.
Hydrogen generated by electrolysis of water is the most expensive, since the energy input for splitting the water molecule is higher than the energy obtained from the produced H2.
Electrolysers are huge systems, usually 4mx2mx1,5m and cost between $ 2,5 m to $4m. Depending on their capacity. Usually they work at night to be able to use cheaper tariff electrical energy. The generated hydrogen is used on site or stored and transported in bottles.
Read more about hydrogen production on Wikipedia
The life span of the whole system should exceed 10 years.
The life span of the catalysts is 10,000 hours or 2 years. Replacement of the monoliths at € 1800 ($1900, £1500) per set of 3
Assuming activity of 16h/day for 2 years: 712 days=11520 hours x 18,5 kWh=213120 kWh produced
Spreading the catlyst replacement cost of €1800 over the 213120 kWh produced gives a catalyst material cost of € 0,008 per kWh
Total cost of 1 kWh: € 0,15+€ 0,008= € 0,158
*Cost of kWh after 10 years operation:
Cost of system € 25,000: 16h/day for 10 years/3560 days=56960 hours x 18,5 kWh = 1,053,760 kWh
Spreading the initial purchase cosrt of a Fuel Pro € 25,000 over 1,053,760 kWh produced gives a price of € 0,023 per kWh
Hence the total cost of producing 1 kWh; € 0,15+€ 0,023= € 0,173 ($ 0,183, £ 0,146) per kWh including input fuel, maintenance costs and hardware cost.
In 2006 the hydrogen production in USA was estimated as $ 100 mill. Industry. We sell not only reformers but the technology of the reforming process together with the technology of our unique catalytic composition . Our technology for hydrogen generation offers very high efficiency of more than 90%, low cost/kWh energy, generation of H2 on site and on demand, no storage required.