A research team from the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) conducted a comparative techno-economic evaluation of alkaline and proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Alkaline water electrolysis is cost-effective for large-scale production but requires a stable power supply, making it challenging to integrate with renewable energy. On the other hand, PEM water electrolysis can operate on renewable energy but faces higher installation costs. The study suggested optimal strategies for each technology, emphasizing the use of existing power grids for alkaline systems and electrical overload for PEM systems to enhance efficiency. The research highlighted the importance of balancing economic feasibility and environmental sustainability in hydrogen production. The findings recommended PEM electrolysis for high renewable energy environments and alkaline electrolysis combined with carbon-free grids in other cases. Additionally, a tailored hydrogen production approach for Korea was proposed, showing the potential of combining water electrolysis with offshore wind and solar power. Dr. Joungho Park, the lead researcher, emphasized the significance of the study in guiding investment decisions for future hydrogen production systems using renewable energy.