Electrolyser Efficiency Calculator
Calculate the efficiency of your electrolyser based on operational parameters
How to Use This Calculator
Input Parameters
Operational Parameters
- Stack Runtime
- Total operating time of the electrolyser stack in hours
- Current
- Operating current in amperes (A)
- Voltage
- Operating voltage in volts (V)
Production Parameters
- Hydrogen Production
- Total hydrogen produced during the runtime period
- Production Unit
- Choose between Nm³ (normal cubic meters) or kg
- Heating Value
- Choose between HHV (Higher Heating Value) or LHV (Lower Heating Value)
Calculation Methodology
Energy Consumption
Energy (kWh) = Voltage (V) × Current (A) × Time (h) / 1000
Efficiency Calculations
Efficiency (kWh/Nm³) = Energy (kWh) / H₂ Production (Nm³)
Efficiency (%) = (Theoretical Energy / Actual Energy) × 100
Theoretical Energy: 3.54 kWh/Nm³ (HHV) or 3.0 kWh/Nm³ (LHV)
Stoichiometric Ratios
Water Consumption = 9 kg H₂O / kg H₂
Oxygen Production = 8 kg O₂ / kg H₂
1 kg H₂ = 11.2 Nm³ H₂
Technical Considerations
Voltage Considerations
- Typical cell voltage ranges from 1.8-2.2V for PEM electrolysers
- Higher voltages indicate lower efficiency
- Voltage increases with current density
Current Density
- Typical current densities range from 0.5-2 A/cm²
- Higher current densities increase production but reduce efficiency
- Consider temperature effects on current density
Temperature Effects
- Optimal operating temperature: 60-80°C for PEM
- Higher temperatures improve kinetics but increase degradation
- Consider thermal management in efficiency calculations