ABSTRACT
Hydrogen is the most representative of solar fuels and can be sustainably generated by using renewable energy sources. This chapter focuses on solar high-temperature electrolysis, including the Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOE) and the Molten Carbonate Electrolysis (MCE) and solar thermochemical H2O and CO2 splitting. The technical feasibility of the MCE was successfully demonstrated on laboratory scale using a molten carbonate fuel cell, which was operated in a reverse electrolysis mode at 600°C. The concentration of solar irradiation can be carried out using many technologies, well known as concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. Concentrating technologies for scale-up plants are available in four common forms, namely, parabolic trough, linear Fresnel, solar dish, and solar power tower. High-temperature steam electrolysis is a very promising pathway for highly efficient large-scale hydrogen production. The electricity generation for the SOE process is performed within a Rankine cycle, which consists of a multistage turbine.
