Integration of concentrated solar power with solid oxide electrolysis for green hydrogen production: a comprehensive review

Abstract

The integration of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOE) holds great promise for efficient and sustainable green hydrogen production. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies reviewing the combined potential of these two technologies, which could offer enhanced efficiencies and reduced costs for large-scale hydrogen production. This review addresses that gap by analyzing the technical and economic feasibility of integrating CSP with SOE systems. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the integration between CSP and SOE systems for green hydrogen production. The study examines critical technical challenges, including high operating temperatures, material compatibility, and heat transfer efficiency, while evaluating the economic feasibility of these integrated systems. Different CSP configurations are analysed based on their ability to provide heat alone or both heat and electricity, with thermal energy storage identified as a key factor in enhancing system performance by mitigating intermittency issues. Methodologies used in integration studies, such as simulation models and experimental setups, are critically reviewed, highlighting gaps in practical designs and real-world applications of CSP-SOE systems. However, despite these promising advances, only one laboratory-scale prototype has been demonstrated to date, underscoring the urgent need for pilot-scale CSP–SOE field testing under real direct normal irradiation (DNI) and thermal energy storage (TES) conditions. By addressing these technical and economic obstacles, this review offers insights into optimising CSP-SOE systems for sustainable, large-scale hydrogen production and provides actionable recommendations for future development.