Water electrolysis (WE) powered by reneawable electricity is a promising way to produce H2 for the possible "hydrogen economy" in the near future. However, the electricity consumption of this process is high due to the kinetically sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on anode.

From my perspective, the current strategies towards highly efficient WE system can be classified into 2 categories: (1) active HER and OER electrocatalysts; (2) chemicals-assisted water electrolysis, such as glycerol, coal, biomass, even plastic can be coupled to the WE process to lower the energy requirement.

However, best to my knowledge, the chemicals-assisted water electrolysis process is not technically available.

What is the possible obstables? Is this system promising to replace the commercialy avaible alkaline water electrolys technique?