Systematic Identification of Customer Requirements for Electrolysis Systems

This study presents a systematic approach to aligning technical product attributes of electrolyzers with customer requirements in the context of cost-efficient hydrogen production. Five semi-structured expert interviews were conducted to identify customer needs, which were then categorized and prioritized using the Kano model. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was subsequently applied to evaluate the relative importance of system components in fulfilling these requirements. Findings reveal that seemingly minor elements - such as valves, seals, and fluid connectors - can have a disproportionately high impact on customer satisfaction, while core functional parts are often perceived as baseline expectations. The approach offers valuable insights for design optimization and supports informed decision-making in the early stages of electrolyzer development.