From landfill to hydrogen. Techno-economic analysis of hybridized hydrogen production systems integrating biogas reforming and Power-to-Gas technologies

In the new hydrogen economy, bio-hydrogen derived from organic material can represent an opportunity to valorise current waste management systems. The present work deals with innovative systems for producing hydrogen from landfill gas combining Power-to-Gas plants and biogas reforming. To do so, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Chemical Absorption (CA) have been assessed for biogas upgrading. Furthermore, both high-temperature electrolysis by SOECs (solid oxide electrolysis cell) and low-temperature electrolysis by PEM (proton exchange membrane) and Alkaline electrolysers are presented. The simulation results are compared in terms of Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) at stack price and after compression and storage. Assuming a capacity factor equal to 70%, the potential hydrogen production rate in such hybrid configurations ranges between 26 and 28 kgH2/h. Furthermore, the LCOH turns out to be in a range between 1.9 and 3.3 €/kgH2. Considering 2030 forecast, LCOH below 2 €/kgH2 at stack is feasible.