The potential of proton exchange membrane–based electrolysis technology

Hydrogen is an important chemical feedstock for many industrial applications, and today, more than 95% of this feedstock is generated from fossil fuel sources such as reforming of natural gas. In addition, the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels represents most carbon dioxide emissions from large chemical processes such as ammonia generation. Renewable sources of hydrogen such as hydrogen from water electrolysis need to be driven to similar production costs as methane reforming to address global greenhouse gas emission concerns. Water electrolysis has begun to show scalability to relevant capacities to address this need, but materials and manufacturing advancements need to be made to meet the cost targets. This article describes specific needs for one pathway based on proton exchange membrane electrolysis technology.