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Technological Feasibility and Cost Analysis

Technology Feasibility and Cost Analysis is performed to determine the potential economic viability of a process or technology, and helps to identify which technologies have the greatest likelihood of economic success. Results from technology feasibility analysis efforts provide input to balanced portfolio development and technology validation plans. The economic competitiveness of a technology is assessed by evaluating its implementation costs for a given process compared to the costs incurred by current technology. These analyses are therefore useful in determining which projects have the highest potential for near-, mid-, and long-term success. Parameters studied include production volume benefits, economies of scale, process configuration, materials, and resource requirements. Of principle importance, technology feasibility analyses can help direct research toward areas in which improvements will result in the largest cost reductions. Additionally, advancement toward the final goal of commercialization can be measured as the economics of a process are evaluated throughout the life of the project. Tools used for technology feasibility analysis include process modeling (e.g., ASPEN Plus©), equipment cost modeling, and cash flow analysis. Technology feasibility analysis is performed on a regular and ongoing basis, in the areas of delivery, storage, and fuel cells.

Some of the technoeconomic analyses completed to date include: Download Adobe Reader

  • Summary of Electrolytic Hydrogen Production, J. Ivy (2004) (PDF 720 KB)
  • Updated Cost Analysis of Photobiological Hydrogen Production from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Green Algae, Wade A. Amos (2004) (PDF 679 KB)
  • Hydrogen Storage in Wind Turbine Towers: Cost Analysis and Conceptual Design, R. Kottenstette and J. Cotrell (2003) (PDF 367 KB)
  • Update of Hydrogen from Biomass—Determination of the Delivered Cost of Hydrogen, P.L. Spath, M. Mann, W.A. Amos (2003) (PDF 1.5 MB)
  • Process Analysis Work for the DOE Hydrogen Program-2001, Pamela Spath et al. (2002) (PDF 363 KB)
  • Survey of the Economics of Hydrogen Technologies, C.E.G. Padró and V. Putsche (1999) (PDF 1.1 MB)
  • Hydrogen Supply: Cost Estimate for Hydrogen Pathways—Scoping Analysis, D. Simbeck and E. Chang (2002) (PDF 1.5 MB)