WRRFs as a Hub for Green Hydrogen Production

Due to its ability to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors, green hydrogen production projects are being built across the United States and several other countries. Although this technology constitutes a promising tool in the decarbonization portfolio, the high capital and operational expenses are the main obstacles in its wide-scale commercial implementation. By recovering the by-products from the electrolysis process, such as oxygen and waste heat, there is the potential to reduce the costs tied to green hydrogen production, while decarbonizing the operation of WRRFs. The City of Saint Cloud initiated a 2023 study to assess the potential to recover by-products from the hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources. Through this case study, this paper discusses the benefits of producing green hydrogen to aid in decarbonizing WRRFs and local industries; the practical considerations for capturing the waste by-products; and the challenges of cost-effectively integrating electrolyzers into existing WRRFs.