An Overview of Energy and Exergy Analysis for Green Hydrogen Power Systems

The global transition toward sustainable and low-carbon energy systems has driven significant interest in green hydrogen as a promising energy carrier. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable energy sources, offers a viable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and diversify the energy mix. As the utilization of green hydrogen gains momentum, thorough assessments of its production and utilization processes become imperative to ensure optimal system performance and efficiency. This overview study presents a comprehensive overview of energy and exergy analysis methods applied to green hydrogen power systems. The fundamental principles of energy and exergy analyses are elucidated, highlighting their importance in quantifying energy flows and assessing the system's thermodynamic efficiency. Key components of green hydrogen power systems, such as hydrogen economy, economic and environmental effects of GH2 production renewable energy sources, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells, are examined in the context of energy and exergy analysis. The review encompasses a critical examination of various energy and exergy efficiency metrics utilized in green hydrogen production, including process energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and exergy destruction. Additionally, it delves into the techno-economic analysis of green hydrogen power systems, focusing on identifying opportunities for enhancing system performance and reducing resource consumption.