In the quest for a decarbonized future, green hydrogen is stepping into the spotlight as a promising energy carrier, but its path to widespread adoption is fraught with challenges. A recent review published in the journal “Discover Electrochemistry” (formerly known as “Electrochemistry Discoveries”) sheds light on the opportunities and hurdles in green hydrogen production and deployment, offering critical insights for the energy sector.
Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, holds immense potential to replace fossil fuels in heavy industry, transportation, and energy storage. However, its high production costs—ranging from USD 3.8 to 11.9 per kilogram—are a significant barrier. “The high electricity prices and the capital costs of electrolyzers, which exceed USD 2000 per kilowatt, are major factors driving up the cost of green hydrogen,” explains Hussein A. Younus, lead author of the review and a researcher at the Nanotechnology Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University.
The review highlights several key bottlenecks in green hydrogen production. Water electrolysis technologies, while promising, are still limited by the performance and durability of electrocatalysts. Additionally, integrating renewable energy sources with electrolysis systems presents technical challenges that need to be addressed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Economic viability is another critical issue. Green hydrogen is currently uncompetitive with gray hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, due to high electricity consumption, capital-intensive electrolyzer costs, and operational inefficiencies. “The economic landscape is challenging, but with sustained innovation and stronger policy interventions, we can overcome these barriers,” Younus notes.
Infrastructure and supply chain challenges further complicate the picture. Limited hydrogen storage capabilities, complex transport logistics, and dependencies on critical materials like platinum and iridium hinder market scalability. Moreover, policy and regulatory gaps, disparities in financial incentives, and the absence of a standardized certification framework create obstacles for international trade and investment in green hydrogen projects.
Despite these challenges, the review points to promising market trends and global initiatives. Government incentives and cross-border collaborations are playing a pivotal role in accelerating hydrogen adoption. Technological advancements and cost reductions are progressing, but overcoming these challenges requires coordinated efforts to develop a resilient, scalable, and cost-competitive green hydrogen sector.
The insights from this research could shape future developments in the field, guiding policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders in navigating the complexities of green hydrogen deployment. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the findings from this review offer a roadmap for unlocking the full potential of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of the global decarbonization effort.