An often overlooked but important difference between production pathways of green and blue hydrogen is the chemical purity of the H2 end-product. This can reach up to 99,998% in the case of green H2, much higher than the 95-98% range of conventional blue SMR H2. In order to satisfy the exponentially growing H2 demand over the next decades, both green and blue H2 will be required because there won’t be sufficient renewable energy available. As a result, it is of utmost importance to correctly identify upfront its most suitable end users. For example, it does not make much sense to use electrolytic H2 for mixed-fuel gas turbines or mixed-fuel CHP, as its intrinsic added value related to its ultra-high purity will be completely lost.

The objective of the PhD is therefore to fundamentally address the question for which end users high-purityelectrolytic H2 can have a significant added value, justifying the replacement of SMR H2 strictly on a performance basis. In cases where such an added value can be demonstrated, this will then in turn also allow to relax the rather stringent RE price conditions which currently still compromise the viability of using large-scale green H2 for decarbonization of end users.