Hydrogen production from solar water splitting

It seems that a photoelectrochemical device in which all of the functions of photon absorption and water splitting are combined in the same equipment may have better potential for hydrogen production at reasonable costs. However, a quick back of the envelope analysis shows that in order to compete with the hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, photoelectrochemical devices should recover hydrogen at an energy equivalent of 0.4 to 0.5/Wp. This cost challenge is similar to that for electricity production from solar cells. 

High-temperature water splitting is most suitable for a large-scale and centralized production of hydrogen even though semi-central production from solar-driven cycles might be possible. 

This year, areas of analysis included (1) hydrogen production via natural gas splitting with a solar reactor, (2) biological water gas shift for hydrogen production from synthesis gas, and (3) assessment of the mass production of carbon nanotubes for hydrogen storage. 

Abanades, S., Hamant, G., 2006. Thermochemical hydrogen production from a two-step solar-driven water-splitting cycle based on cerium oxides. Solar Energy 80 (12), 1611—1623. 

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