Hydrogen has become the most promising energy carrier for the future. The spotlight is now on green hydrogen, produced with water electrolysis powered exclusively by renewable energy sources. ...However, several other technologies and sources are available or under development to satisfy the current and future hydrogen demand. In fact, hydrogen production involves different resources and energy loads, depending on the production method used. Therefore, the industry has tried to set a classification code for this energy carrier. This is done by using colors that reflect the hydrogen production method, the resources consumed to produce the required energy, and the number of emissions generated during the process. Depending on the reviewed literature, some colors have slightly different definitions, thus making the classifications imprecise. Therefore, this techno-economic analysis clarifies the meaning of each hydrogen color by systematically reviewing their production methods, consumed energy sources, and generated emissions. Then, an economic assessment compares the costs of the various hydrogen colors and examines the most feasible ones and their potential evolution. The scientific community and industry’s clear understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of each element of the hydrogen color spectrum is an essential step toward reaching a sustainable hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen is becoming a more significant energy source supported by the sustainable policies. The gas can be produced from a variety feedstock and With the usage of renewable and conventional source ...of energy. This paper reviews the hydrogen production technologies, which are present and commercially available together with the future trends for their development. The production methods are compared in terms of efficiency and environmental impact.
Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in renewable energy sources in electricity generation have led to an increasing interest in hydrogen in recent years. As an energy storage ...solution for renewable energy, hydrogen can contribute to decarbonizing industries and transportation sectors as well as balancing energy systems. In this paper, the primary objective is to examine different methods for producing hydrogen depending on the primary energy source. In addition, it evaluates the economic and environmental performance of three types of hydrogen, known as hydrogen colors, and the significant obstacles to widespread fuel cell adoption. The key finding is that hydrogen's environmental benefits depend heavily on how hydrogen is produced and what fuel is used to produce it. Green hydrogen can only be produced using wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and hydroelectric power. The emissions from other sources, such as blue hydrogen that uses carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) or electrolysis using electricity from the grid, are significantly higher than those from grey hydrogen. Furthermore, establishing an international hydrogen market will reduce costs and allow hydrogen to be produced in optimal locations. Lastly, a key unresolved question is whether hydrogen, whatever its color, is economically competitive in any sector of the energy system, despite all external costs associated with it. A policy framework that supports technological advancements, cost reductions, and future priorities will determine hydrogen's success in the future. The transition from grey hydrogen to green hydrogen should be facilitated by this framework.
Hydrogen (H2) is a possible energy transporter and feedstock for energy decarbonization, transportation, and chemical sectors while reducing global warming's consequences. The predominant commercial ...method for producing H2 today is steam methane reforming (SMR). However, there is still room for development in process intensification, energy optimization, and environmental concerns related to CO2 emissions. Reactors using metallic membranes (MRs) can handle both problems. Compared to traditional reactors, MRs operates at substantially lower pressures and temperatures. As a result, capital and operational costs may be significantly cheaper than traditional reactors. Furthermore, metallic membranes (MMs), particularly Pd and its alloys, naturally permit only H2 permeability, enabling the production of a stream with a purity of up to 99.999%. This review describes several methods for H2 production based on the energy sources utilized. SRM with CO2 capture and storage (CCUS), pyrolysis of methane, and water electrolysis are all investigated as process technologies. A debate based on a color code was also created to classify the purity of H2 generation. Although producing H2 using fossil fuels is presently the least expensive method, green H2 generation has the potential to become an affordable alternative in the future. From 2030 onward, green H2 is anticipated to be less costly than blue hydrogen. Green H2 is more expensive than fossil-based H2 since it uses more energy. Blue H2 has several tempting qualities, but the CCUS technology is pricey, and blue H2 contains carbon. At this time, almost 80–95% of CO2 can be stored and captured by the CCUS technology. Nanomaterials are becoming more significant in solving problems with H2 generation and storage. Sustainable nanoparticles, such as photocatalysts and bio-derived particles, have been emphasized for H2 synthesis. New directions in H2 synthesis and nanomaterials for H2 storage have also been discussed. Further, an overview of the H2 value chain is provided at the end, emphasizing the financial implications and outlook for 2050, i.e., carbon-free H2 and zero-emission H2.
Display omitted
•Thorough description of sustainable and clean H2 production methods is done.•Currently grey H2 production is dominant in the world market, i.e., via SMR.•Metallic membranes remove impurities from H2, improving purity and fuel cell efficiency.•Global H2 production, storage, and supply capacity is insufficient for future demand.•Green H2 could support flexibility and decarbonization of the whole energy system.
The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. The REPowerEU plan launched in May 2022 as part of the Green Deal reveals the willingness ...of several countries to become energy independent and tackle the climate crisis. Therefore, the decarbonization of different sectors such as maritime shipping is crucial and may be achieved through sustainable energy. Hydrogen is potentially clean and renewable and might be chosen as fuel to power ships and boats. Hydrogen technologies (e.g., fuel cells for propulsion) have already been implemented on board ships in the last 20 years, mainly during demonstration projects. Pressurized tanks filled with gaseous hydrogen were installed on most of these vessels. However, this type of storage would require enormous volumes for large long-range ships with high energy demands. One of the best options is to store this fuel in the cryogenic liquid phase. This paper initially introduces the hydrogen color codes and the carbon footprints of the different production techniques to effectively estimate the environmental impact when employing hydrogen technologies in any application. Afterward, a review of the implementation of liquid hydrogen (LH2) in the transportation sector including aerospace and aviation industries, automotive, and railways is provided. Then, the focus is placed on the maritime sector. The aim is to highlight the challenges for the adoption of LH2 technologies on board ships. Different aspects were investigated in this study, from LH2 bunkering, onboard utilization, regulations, codes and standards, and safety. Finally, this study offers a broad overview of the bottlenecks that might hamper the adoption of LH2 technologies in the maritime sector and discusses potential solutions.
