Hydrogen and synthetic fuel production from renewable energy sources

Wind and solar power are troubled by large fluctuations in delivery due to changing weather. The surplus electricity can be used in a Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) to Split CO(2) + H(2)O into CO + H(2) (+O(2)) which can be catalyzed into various types of synthetic fuel using a suitable catalyst. H(2)O electrolysis with a new SOEC resulted in a record breaking current density of -3.6 A/cm(2) at a cell voltage of 1.48 V. Assuming the surplus electricity to cost 3.6 US$/GJ, the H(2) production price is estimated to 5 US$/GJ equivalent to 30 US$/barrel crude oil or to 0.6US$/gge (gallon of gasoline equivalent). (C) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.