LAUSR

The development and deployment of energy mix hydrogen production technologies, and the prospect of supplying “green” hydrogen to fuel-cell cars are expected to play significant roles in the near future. The sustainability of the process is a key enabler for a hydrogen-including economy. A techno-economic analysis of the BioRobur technology, which involves the green hydrogen production of 100 N m3 H2/h (5.0 grade), has been performed in this study to provide a basis for comparison between the final cost of the hydrogen and the European target. Moreover, a technology for its eventual implementation has been addressed, in which the weakness and strengths have been identified by means of a SWOT analysis. The cost and supply analysis of this biogas-to-hydrogen production system, via autothermal reforming, indicates that municipal solid waste (MSW) is an important source of the low-cost supply of biogas-derived hydrogen. As far as the market potential is concerned, this analysis suggests that MSW can provide about 286,607 kg/day at 5 €/kg H2 (delivery cost). Additionally, after 10 years of amortization, the final cost to produce 100 N m3/h of H2 would be 2.5 €/kg, which is far lower than the European target for the cost of obtaining H2 through biogas reforming, that is, 5 €/kg of H2.