ZeroAvia AI software to slash hydrogen production cost
Hydrogen propulsion pioneer ZeroAvia has unveiled its “revolutionary AI-driven, scalable smart microgrid optimisation software” which offers the potential to minimise the cost of hydrogen production.
Real-world testing of the Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software (SHAIPS) was conducted by ZeroAvia’s hydrogen infrastructure team in Silicon Valley, with a working sub-scale smart microgrid including solar generation, battery storage, electrolysers and gaseous hydrogen storage facilities.
The results indicated an over 20% reduction in the levelized cost of hydrogen compared to an electrolyser generating all hydrogen based on the average electricity wholesale price. SHAIPS will also allow the producer to set a limit on the carbon intensity of hydrogen production.
Alongside validating “many of the underlying assumptions in modelled scenarios, proving the applicability of the software for delivering cost-effective and eco-friendly hydrogen production,” SHAIPS’ algorithm is also designed to “optimise the use of each component to extend their lifecycles,” further reducing capital costs and carbon intensity of the production process.
ZeroAvias approach will see excess renewable energy stored as hydrogen, in batteries, or sold back to the grid; also drawing capacity back from the national grid at periods of low carbon intensity and low financial cost. The microgrid solar energy will be preserved in battery storage for use at the optimum point.
Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia Val Miftakhov described the software as “an impactful application,” adding that although it is “inevitable that the levelized cost of hydrogen will fall over time,” ZeroAvia’a innovation is seeking to accelerate that. In the US, the DOE is targeting a cost of $1 per kg of hydrogen by 2030, while the Inflation Reduction Act established up to $3 per kg of hydrogen as part of a production tax credit.
