Recent Developments on Hydrogen Production Technologies: State-of-the-Art Review with a Focus on Green-Electrolysis

Abstract

Growing human activity has led to a critical rise in global energy consumption; since the current main sources of energy production are still fossil fuels, this is an industry linked to the generation of harmful byproducts that contribute to environmental deterioration and climate change. One pivotal element with the potential to take over fossil fuels as a global energy vector is renewable hydrogen; but, for this to happen, reliable solutions must be developed for its carbon-free production. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive review on several hydrogen production technologies, mainly focusing on water splitting by green-electrolysis, integrated on hydrogen’s value chain. The review further deepened into three leading electrolysis methods, depending on the type of electrolyzer used—alkaline, proton-exchange membrane, and solid oxide—assessing their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Based on the conclusions of this study, further developments in applications like the efficient production of renewable hydrogen will require the consideration of other types of electrolysis (like microbial cells), other sets of materials such as in anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis, and even the use of artificial intelligence and neural networks to help design, plan, and control the operation of these new types of systems.

The potential of hydrogen technologies for low-carbon mobility in the urban-industrial symbiosis approach

“…The typical electrolysis unit is the electrolyser, consisting of an electrolyte where a cathode and an anode are immersed. Three types of electrolysers are currently available commercially, each using different electrolytes and working under different conditions: alkaline water electrolyser (AEL), proton-exchange membrane electrolyser (PEM), and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) [5,19]. The different technologies show different stages of development, performance, and cost [20].…”

“…The refilling station network should be located through geo-optimization tools after accurately mapping the hydrogen consumption needs for light and heavy vehicles, considering urban areas and logistic centers, industries, and transport fleets [19].…”

Recent progress on rational design of catalysts for fermentative hydrogen production

“…Moreover, the development and the cost of high‐efficiency catalysts also make the industrial application of this method facing certain challenges 43 . Although the photolysis of water avoids dependence on electricity resources to a certain extent, the actual reaction efficiency will be affected by the actual natural environment and catalysts, and currently the efficiency of this method is still relatively low, so large‐scale use may not be universal 44 …”

“…43 Although the photolysis of water avoids dependence on electricity resources to a certain extent, the actual reaction efficiency will be affected by the actual natural environment and catalysts, and currently the efficiency of this method is still relatively low, so large-scale use may not be universal. 44 Unlike the above methods, biological hydrogen production, as a pollution-free by-product method, could use various raw materials and natural bacteria under the environmental conditions of temperature and pressure. [51][52][53] At the same time, it also has relatively high energy conversion efficiency and low cost.…”

Design and Costs Analysis of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations Based on Different Hydrogen Sources and Plant Configurations

“…In the initial phase of low market penetration of FCEVs, it can be more feasible to distribute on-site small-scale hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs). Moreover, in order to avoid CO 2 emissions, the use of renewable electricity [9] and zero-carbon sources (ammonia [10], biogas [11], microalgae [12]) can be the best solutions for assuring the "green hydrogen" production [13].…”