# Why do power requirement figures for water electrolysis on the web seem to be wrong?

I need to calculate the power needed to electrolyse 1 mole of water for a project. We will either use Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis or Alkaline Water Electrolysis, they operate on 1.75V-2.20V and 1.8V-2.4V respectively. And each has a maximum efficiency of about 69%. So, I have done further calculations assuming that the potential difference between the electrodes is 1.8V and the efficiency is 70%. As per my requirements, I have also considered that I have 8 minutes for conducting electrolysis.

Here are the calculations :

The reaction : 2H2O 2H2 + O2
Half Reactions:
Reduction at cathode: 2 H+(aq) + 2e−  H2(g)
Oxidation at anode: 2 H2O(l)  O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4e−

1 mole of hydrogen gas will be produced from 1 mole of water ie 18 g of water or 18 cc of water.
Time available for electrolysis = 8 minutes ie 480 seconds
Number of moles of electrons = 2
Charge = 2 x 96,485 C/F = 192,970 C
Current = Charge / Time = 192,970 / 480 = 400 Amperes (approx.)

Considering 70% efficiency, Current required = 570 Amperes
Potential Difference = 1.8V (common to both PEM electrolysis and Alkaline water electrolysis)

So, Power Required = 1026 Watts ≈ 1 kW (for 8 minutes per mole)


I took reference of this webpage to learn how to calculate it.

However, then I came across this figure on the internet - per mole water splitting requires at least 241.8 kJ of energy Source: The first answer to this question.

So I am a little confused. I guess, this 241KJ energy figure came out because the person might be considering 1.23V potential difference (which is considered ideal), and 100% efficiency. I can't say anything because he has stated, that the values of enthalpy of formation (which he has used) are experimental, but hasn't provided the voltage and neither other conditions for the reaction. He has just used the values of enthalpy of formation and not considered the efficiency of the method in use, in fact, that figure seems to be so general for all methods. As, PEM Electrolysis and Alkaline Water Electrolysis are the most efficient methods and both don't operate on that "ideal" 1.23V potential difference. Also, I think my reasoning is correct because if I redo the calculations considering 1.23V and 100% efficiency, the answer comes out to be the same as his.

Is my reasoning correct? and if not what is the reason for having different answers.

• The essential topic for electrolytic efficiency is overpotential, especially overpotential of oxygen. – Poutnik Jun 8 at 5:26