Comparative performance analysis of PEM and solid oxide steam electrolysers

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of comparative performance characteristics of proton exchange membrane (PEM) and solid oxide steam (SOS) electrolysers based on a thermodynamic analysis. The main factors which influence electrolyser energy and exergy efficiencies were temperature, summation of overpotentials, applied voltage, and to a lesser extent pressure. It is found that anodic overpotentials make up a majority of the total overpotentials in both electrolyser types studied and therefore further development of catalysts to reduce the overpotentials was recommended.