Green Hydrogen Economy: Overcoming Challenges in Scaling and Unlocking Sustainable Strategic Opportunities
Keywords:
Decarbonization, Electrolysis, Energy transition, Green Hydrogen (GH2), Renewable energyAbstract
With the urgent need to decarbonize global industries, green hydrogen (GH₂) is gaining prominence as a transformative energy solution. Produced through water electrolysis powered by renewable sources, GH₂ presents a near-zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels. Its potential spans heavy industries, transportation, and energy storage, offering a sustainable pathway for reducing carbon footprints. However, large-scale adoption remains hindered by high production costs, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory inconsistencies. This paper presents a holistic assessment of GH₂’s economic, technical, and policy-related challenges. By integrating literature-based comparative analysis and case studies from leading green hydrogen initiatives, the paper highlights viable strategies to overcome these barriers. The study underscores technological advancements in electrolyzers, cost-reduction strategies, and emerging policy frameworks essential for GH₂ commercialization. Ultimately, it provides a roadmap for scaling GH₂ production, ensuring its role as a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition.
References
R. Perkins, “Fossil fuel use hits new highs in 2023 despite renewable energy boom,” Spglobal.com, Jun. 20, 2024. https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/062024-fossil-fuel-use-hits-new-highs-in-2023-despite-renewable-energy-boom.
International Energy Agency (IEA), “CO₂ Emissions in 2023: Executive Summary,” IEA Report, 2024. [Online] Available: https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023/executive-summary.
H. Ishaq, I. Dincer, and C. Crawford, “A review on hydrogen production and utilization: Challenges and opportunities,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 47, no. 62, Dec. 2021, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.11.149.
F.-Y. Gao, P.-C. Yu, and M.-R. Gao, “Seawater electrolysis technologies for green hydrogen production: challenges and opportunities,” Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, vol. 36, p. 100827, Jun. 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2022.100827.
“Europe’s Green Hydrogen Future, Part 1: Hopes and Constraints | RANE,” Stratfor, 2024. [Online] Available: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/europes-green-hydrogen-future-part-1-hopes-and-constraints.
“ANALYSIS, CODES AND STANDARDS FY 2024 Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Report | 464.” [Online] Available: https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/docs/hydrogenprogramlibraries/pdfs/review24/2024-amr-09-analysis-codes-standards.pdf.
International Energy Agency (IEA), “Global Hydrogen Review 2024,” IEA Reports, 2024. [Online] Available: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024.
UNSW (University of New South Wales), "Five Things You Need to Know About Green Hydrogen," UNSW Newsroom, 2022. [Online] Available: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2022/02/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-green-hydrogen.
Australian National University (ANU), "What is Green Hydrogen, How is it Made, and Will it be the Fuel of the Future?" ICEDS Research Report, 2022, [Online] Available: https://iceds.anu.edu.au/research/research-stories/what-green-hydrogen-how-it-made-and-will-it-be-fuel-future.
Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), “National Green Hydrogen Mission,” Govt. of India Report, 2023. [Online] Available: https://nghm.mnre.gov.in/.
Sibi Arasu, “What is green hydrogen and why is it touted as a clean fuel?” The Independent, Sep. 06, 2023. [Online] Available: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-india-bengaluru-new-delhi-abu-dhabi-b2405564.html.
International Energy Agency (IEA), “Global Hydrogen Review 2024,” IEA Reports, 2024. [Online] Available: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024.
“Europe’s Green Hydrogen Future, Part 1: Hopes and Constraints | RANE,” Stratfor, 2024. [Online] Available: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/europes-green-hydrogen-future-part-1-hopes-and-constraints.
“Safety, Codes, and Standards,” Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/safety-codes-and-standards.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, “National Green Hydrogen Mission | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy | India,” Mnre.gov.in, 2023. [Online] Available: https://mnre.gov.in/en/national-green-hydrogen-mission/