Life Cycle Assessment for Hydrogen Technologies

Hydrogen and its derivatives (sutainable synthesis products produced from hydrogen) are indispensable building blocks on the path to climate neutrality, as they can replace fossil fuels, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to determine how many greenhouse gas emissions are saved, we conduct life cycle assessments (also known as LCAs) for hydrogen technologies. An LCA also examines other environmental impacts, such as eutrophication and acidification. It is also possible to analyze the resource and energy demands of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives over their entire life cycle. In combination with a techno-economic analysis, the costs of climate protection measures (e.g., CO₂ mitigation costs) can be determined.

For the assessment of hydrogen technologies, future scenarios play a central role, as the entire economy is in a transformation process towards climate neutrality. A sound assessment must take these developments into account. Therefore, we are intensively working on so-called prospective life cycle assessments. These help to quantify relevant future environmental indicators, such as material demands, and consider future energy and technology scenarios along the entire value chain, e.g., the increasing share of renewable electricity and the use of green steel.

Our life cycle assessments focus in particular on hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as methanol, ammonia, dimethyl ether (DME) and synthetic fuels such as kerosene. We consider the entire process chain from production to storage, transportation and application. In terms of applications, we focus in particular on the energy, industry and mobility sectors.

At Fraunhofer ISE, we conduct life cycle assessments according to ISO 14040/44, using our comprehensive and practical know-how along the entire hydrogen process chain. This includes, for example, photovoltaics, electrolysis, chemical synthesis, fuel cells and energy system analysis. For these assessments we use established, commercial LCA software and databases as well as software specialized in prospective LCA.

We offer:

• Life cycle assessments of various hydrogen technologies and synthesis products in accordance with ISO 14040/44
• Holistic determination of environmental impacts, resource and energy demands over the entire life cycle of a technology
• Evaluation of technologies taking into account future energy and technology scenarios along the entire value chain (prospective LCA)
• Determining the costs of climate protection measures (e.g., CO₂ mitigation costs).

Your benefits:

• The life cycle assessment enables you to quantify the environmental impact of your technology over its entire life cycle and to work with us to develop suitable solutions to reduce the environmental impact.
• Using a standardized method, you can compare your technology with competing technologies from an environmental perspective.
• With the help of the prospective life cycle assessment, you can model the environmental impact of your technology in future energy scenarios and thus identify challenges and develop solutions at an early stage.