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Hydrogen Production Energy Calculator

Work out hydrogen production energy instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Hydrogen Production Energy Calculator

Hydrogen's lower heating value is 33.33 kWh per kilogram, so an ideal electrolyser would use that much electricity. Real systems at 60-70% efficiency consume 48-55 kWh per kilogram including balance of plant. Water demand is about 9 kg stoichiometrically, and 10-15 litres in practice including purification losses.

Formulas

Energy requirement

Electricity (kWh) = hydrogen mass x 33.33 / system efficiency

Specific consumption

kWh per kg = 33.33 / efficiency

Worked example

With the default values below, Hydrogen Production Energy Calculator returns Electricity Required of 51,276.9. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Hydrogen Requiredminimum 0 kg/day
1,000 kg/day
Electrolyser System Efficiencyaccepts 1–100 %
65 %
Electricity Priceminimum 0 per kWh
4 per kWh
Water Consumptionminimum 0 L per kg H2
10 L per kg H2

Results

Electricity Required
51,276.9
Specific Energy Consumption
51.277
Daily Electricity Cost
$205,107.69
Water Required
10,000.0

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Energy requirement
  3. 3Specific consumption
  4. 4Electricity Required= 51,276.9
  5. 5Specific Energy Consumption= 51.277
  6. 6Daily Electricity Cost= 205,107.69
  7. 7Water Required= 10,000.0

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Hydrogen is highly flammable with a very wide explosive range and requires specific safety design for detection, ventilation and materials compatibility.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Hydrogen is highly flammable with a very wide explosive range and requires specific safety design for detection, ventilation and materials compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does electricity price dominate hydrogen cost?

At 50 kWh per kilogram, every unit of currency per kilowatt-hour adds 50 to the cost of a kilogram. Electricity is typically 60-80% of green hydrogen production cost.

Is higher heating value ever used?

Yes, and it makes efficiency look better — 39.4 kWh/kg rather than 33.33. Always state which basis is used, because the difference is 18%.

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