Life cycle sustainability assessment of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology for ecodesign purposes.

The EU-funded project eGHOST supports the fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH) industry in shaping the eco (re)design of hydrogen-related products such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks. Within this framework, a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of a PEMFC stack was conducted to evaluate its potential environmental, economic, and social impacts. The climate change indicator for one 48 kW el PEMFC stack is 1160 kg CO 2 eq., with platinum accounting for 63.5% of the total value. The cost depends mainly on the production rate, and it is 2233 €/stack for an annual production of 50,000 stacks. Social hotspots are mainly associated with platinum production in South Africa. Illustrative ecodesign actions allow a reduction in climate change of 31% and 46% in the realistic (short-term) and optimistic (long-term) concept, respectively. A further reduction in climate change (54% in the optimistic concept) is achieved if 95% recycled Pt is used. • A life cycle sustainability assessment of PEMFC stack manufacture is conducted. • The carbon footprint of the 48 kWe PEMFC stack is estimated to be 1160 kg CO2 equivalent. • The cost, for a production rate of 50,000 PEMFC stacks/year, is 2233 €/stack. • Platinum production in South Africa arises as a sustainability hotspot. • Ecodesign actions on Pt loading and recycling lead to high carbon footprint reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]