Affiliation:
1. Institute of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-500 Chorzów, Poland
Abstract
The use of green hydrogen as a high-energy fuel of the future may be an opportunity to balance the unstable energy system, which still relies on renewable energy sources. This work is a comprehensive review of recent advancements in green hydrogen production. This review outlines the current energy consumption trends. It presents the tasks and challenges of the hydrogen economy towards green hydrogen, including production, purification, transportation, storage, and conversion into electricity. This work presents the main types of water electrolyzers: alkaline electrolyzers, proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, solid oxide electrolyzers, and anion exchange membrane electrolyzers. Despite the higher production costs of green hydrogen compared to grey hydrogen, this review suggests that as renewable energy technologies become cheaper and more efficient, the cost of green hydrogen is expected to decrease. The review highlights the need for cost-effective and efficient electrode materials for large-scale applications. It concludes by comparing the operating parameters and cost considerations of the different electrolyzer technologies. It sets targets for 2050 to improve the efficiency, durability, and scalability of electrolyzers. The review underscores the importance of ongoing research and development to address the limitations of current electrolyzer technology and to make green hydrogen production more competitive with fossil fuels.
Reference183 articles.
1. Our World in Data, and Ritchie, H. (2024, May 18). Global Renewables Are Growing, but Have Been Partly Offset by a Decline in Nuclear Production. Available online: https://ourworldindata.org/global-renewables-are-growing-but-are-only-managing-to-offset-a-decline-in-nuclear-production.
2. Farhidi, F., and Mawi, Z. (2022). Is It Costly to Transition from Fossil Fuel Energy: A Trade-Off Analysis. Energies, 15.
3. Hou, H., Lu, W., Liu, B., Hassanein, Z., Mahmood, H., and Khalid, S. (2023). Exploring the Role of Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy in Determining Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from OECD Countries. Sustainability, 15.
4. Holechek, J.L., Geli, H.M.E., Sawalhah, M.N., and Valdez, R. (2022). A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?. Sustainability, 14.
5. Rolo, I., Costa, V.A.F., and Brito, F.P. (2024). Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems: Current Technology Development Status, Opportunities and Challenges. Energies, 17.