Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

Hybrid Renewable Energy System Featuring Pem Green Hydrogen In Regions With
High Solar And Wind Density
Chau Hong Thang, Van Lang University (VLU), Viet Nam; Pham Minh Tung, Van Lang University (VLU), Viet Nam;
Nguyen Vu Minh Thy, Van Lang University (VLU), Viet Nam; Vo Quang Hung, Van Lang University (VLU), Viet Nam
Supporting Lecturer: Thi Thanh Hien Ho ([email protected]).

Key Messages
• Green hydrogen enables the imminent future of clean and sustainable energy in developing nations thanks to
advances in technologies, expansion in solar and wind power, and its low carbon footprint.
• Cost efficiency plays a crucial role in facilitating the widespread adoption of green hydrogen on large scales.
• The successful implementation of pilot projects would lay the foundation for the production, storage, and utilization
of green hydrogen.
• The green hydrogen development path should initiate with the chemical feedstock industry, followed by heavy-
duty and long-range transportation, and ultimately in the power sector.
• For developing nations, the roadmap starts with an initial focus on grey (blue) hydrogen, with the goal of evolving
into hydrogen export hubs by the late 2030s. This transformation will be supported by a three-phase policy
framework aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of green hydrogen. The role of international collaboration,
facilitated by the UN and developed countries, is crucial.

Our continued dependence on finite fossil fuels, buses, trucks, and even trains, offering extended ranges
including coal, oil, and natural gas, not only exhausts and faster refueling compared to traditional batteries.
these limited natural resources but also emits In the industrial sector, they offer backup or off-grid
substantial greenhouse gases (GHG), exacerbating power solutions5, and their use in remote or isolated
global warming. The relentless progression of climate communities6 highlights their potential in regions
change, primarily driven by extensive fossil fuel facing challenges in energy importation. The purpose of
combustion, emphasizes the urgent need for a this brief is to outline recommendations for effectively
transition to renewable energy source worldwide, integrating and expanding PEM green hydrogen
including in developing countries. However, the technology in regions with high potential for solar and
wind energy, focusing on sustainable energy
intermittent nature of renewables, particularly solar
development in developing countries.
and wind energy, presents significant challenges to
global power grid stability and reliability, resulting in Figure 1.
fluctuations in energy generation. This inconsistency
necessitates effective energy storage solutions to
ensure a consistent power supply and optimize the
seamless integration of renewables into the energy mix.
Green hydrogen technology, particularly employing
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, emerges
as a viable solution to address these challenges, even in
developing nations.
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable sources,
can be efficiently stored and converted back into
electricity when needed using PEM fuel cells, which
operate in reverse during electrolysis, splitting water
into oxygen and hydrogen2. This dual functionality
offers a solution to the critical challenge of intermittent
energy supply. Beyond their primary role in converting Data source: modified from Yodwong et al. (2020)1
hydrogen into electricity for power generation3, green
hydrogen fuel cells provide versatile storage solutions
with a wide range of applications1. For example, in
transportation4, green hydrogen fuel cells can power
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

Opportunities flammability, low ignition energy, and rapid

combustion, compounded by its colorless and odorless
Green hydrogen is emerging as a promising option in
nature, which have led to incidents involving liquid
the global energy transition towards achieving net-zero
hydrogen resulting in fires and explosions 15. To bolster
carbon emissions by 2050. The demand for hydrogen
safety in large-scale green hydrogen production, a
worldwide has already seen a 50% increase since
comprehensive and standardized risk assessment
20007. Simultaneously, energy consumption in
methodology is imperative. This approach should
emerging markets and developing countries is expected
specifically address the hazards associated with the
to rise by 50% by 2050, with 750 million people lacking
coexistence of oxygen and hydrogen, while considering
access to electricity and 1.5 billion relying on coal and
hydrogen's unique properties, intricate electrolysis
oil for cooking7, indicating significant potential markets
systems, modular facility designs, operational
for green hydrogen.
variability linked to renewable energy dependence,
The global expansion of renewable energy capacity and emerging technologies, and insights from past
the increasing prevalence of countries adopting high accidents16.
shares of variable renewables in their electricity
Green hydrogen production, additionally, faces
systems are promising trends. As of 2023, the combined
significant efficiency hurdles, especially through energy
wind and solar energy capacity worldwide exceeds
conversion and power storage. The process of
1,397 MW, distributed across numerous wind farms and
converting renewable electricity to hydrogen and then
solar plants, with a prospective capacity of 3,724 GW 8.
back to electricity for power generation (a round-trip
Moreover, essential infrastructure for hydrogen
efficiency) ranges only between 18%-46%17. Increasing
production and storage has been established, including
the efficiency of green hydrogen production hinges on
1.2 million kilometers of pipelines and a total LNG
technological advancements, notably in developing
capacity of 4.4 billion tons by 2023. These
advanced electrolysis technologies to optimize material
developments are crucial for enabling the realization of
use and processes, thereby boosting hydrogen output
green hydrogen production and utilization 9.
with less energy18. Additionally, enhancing catalyst
By the end of 2021, nearly all nations worldwide efficiency to accelerate the electrolysis process, and
implemented policies to promote renewable energy and implementing heat integration and recovery systems
hydrogen, with 26 countries having fully developed are key strategies for reducing energy consumption and
hydrogen strategies and an additional 22 in various improving hydrogen yield19.
stages of preparation10,11. Emerging economies like
Furthermore, the challenge of preparing a proficient
India and Namibia have set ambitious goals for green
workforce is a significant concern7. The hydrogen
hydrogen production, with India targeting 5 million
industry is currently hindered by slow technical
tons by 2030, potentially reaching 10 million tons
learning progress and a shortage of crucial skills,
annually, and Namibia aiming for 1-2 million tons by
leading to a deficiency in specialized labor required for
2030 and 10-15 million tons by 205012. These policies
its growth20. In developed nations, the United States and
and goals play a fundamental role in shaping strategies
Europe lead in providing extensive higher education
and frameworks for green hydrogen production and
programs and industry resources in hydrogen
utilization.
technology, while Australia faces a substantial gap in
One of the key advantages of green hydrogen and power hydrogen training across educational levels, relying
conversion systems, which rely on solar and wind heavily original equipment manufacturers for training
energy, is their significantly low carbon footprint 12,13. and guidance21,22. To address these challenges, several
Green hydrogen-based gas turbines or fuel cells initiatives are recommended, including: incorporating
generate emissions consisting solely of water vapor and hydrogen content into existing training programs,
warm air14. This environmental friendliness positions collaborating with industry experts and universities to
green hydrogen as a crucial player in the global shift develop relevant courses, fostering inter-business
towards sustainable and clean energy sources. collaboration, investing in reskilling and certification,
providing upskilling opportunities, establishing
Challenges effective train-the-trainer programs, and encouraging
Firstly, hydrogen, the central output of this process, schools to prepare young individuals for diverse roles
presents significant safety concerns due to its high within the hydrogen supply chain 22.
2
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

Finally, the financial aspects associated with green produce 50 tons of hydrogen annually, which powers
hydrogen production are formidable, primarily due to local schools' heating systems, a 75-kW fuel cell unit in
the intricate nature of scaling up with PEM Kirkwall for harbor and ferries, and a refueling station
electrolyzers, which involve high capital costs and for fuel cell vans. This initiative has reduced the need to
reliance on expensive materials such as platinum, curtail wind turbine operations, which previously lost
iridium oxide, and gold or platinum-coated titanium23. over 30% of potential annual output27.
Additionally, even in 2050, green hydrogen production
The BIG HIT project has significant environmental,
still carries a substantial financial burden, with
social, and economic impacts. It has created jobs,
renewable energy sources accounting for 30% to 40%
fostered the transition to renewable energy, and
of total costs, electrolyzers adding another 10% to 20%,
addressed public concerns about hydrogen safety
and financing costs of approximately 30%, thereby
without major negative social impacts27.
intensifying the challenge of achieving competitive
Environmentally, the project substantially reduces GHG,
levelized costs in the market24,25. Currently, green
with potential CO2 emission reductions of 58% in
hydrogen production costs are roughly twice as high as
electricity generation, 83% in heating, and 48% in
those of conventional gray hydrogen. However, it is
mobility, compared to traditional energy solutions 28.
projected that, due to decreasing costs of renewable
The project's business model also emphasizes the
energy and the use of more economical materials, the
importance of maximizing electrolyzer operation time
cost of green hydrogen produced through PEM
and selecting suitable Power Purchase Agreements
technology is expected to equal that of gray hydrogen by
(PPAs) to make renewable hydrogen economically
2030, estimated at around US$1.60 per kilogram, and
viable, which are crucial in lowering hydrogen
potentially reduce further to approximately US$1.00
production costs29.
per kilogram by 205026.
Figure 2.
Successful Case Study
The Orkney Islands, a collection of 20 populated islands
with an estimated population of 21,000, are recognized
as a renewable energy center with a total capacity of
approximately 66 MW. The actual production of
renewable energy in the Orkneys falls short of what
could potentially be generated, often surpassing the
local demand. Consequently, this leads to the
exportation of excess electricity to the mainland of
Scotland via subsea cables, mainly in summer when the
local demand decreases. Since 2013, the Orkneys have
consistently exported more electricity than they have Data source: Source: Zhao & Nielsen (2018)27
used, signifying their role in the field of renewable
energy. The BIG HIT project, therefore, was initiated to Outlook
efficiently utilize the Orkney Islands' abundant The vision for green hydrogen's evolution, considering
renewable energy by converting excess renewable the increasing rates of solar and wind energy, rising
power into green hydrogen. hydrogen demand, technological progress, and
The BIG HIT project27, launched in 2016 in Scotland's developing countries’ existing infrastructure status:
Orkney Islands, is a groundbreaking five-year initiative Phase 2023-2030: with solar and wind energy already
to create a model hydrogen economy. Funded by the constituting 12% of the world's power and expected to
FCH2JU, it involves 12 partners from six EU countries reach one-third of global electricity production by
and aims to generate green hydrogen from wind, tidal, 203012, surplus renewable energy will be harnessed for
and solar energy. Orkney, with its abundant renewable green hydrogen production. This phase sees green
energy and limited grid capacity, faces energy hydrogen being increasingly used in feedstock
curtailment issues. BIG HIT seeks to resolve this by industries like refineries and steel manufacturing 30,
producing hydrogen using excess energy from sectors crucial for developing economies.
community-owned wind turbines on Shapinsay and
Eday, and tidal energy from EMEC sites. A 1.5 MW Phase 2030-2040: the phase will witness the complete
proton-exchange membrane electrolyzer is used to phasing out of grey hydrogen from the global hydrogen
3
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

market, along with the continuous growth of green experts, academic institutions, and local
hydrogen. Solar and wind-based hydrogen will extend communities, to create a comprehensive and
its reach into the transportation sector, particularly in inclusive approach to hydrogen development.
heavy-duty and long-range vehicles. Developing nations 2. Implementing strong policies that directly impact the
endowed with abundant renewables may emerge as competitiveness of hydrogen
pivotal hydrogen export hubs31.
• Phase 2023-2030 (policies focus on intiating
Phase 2040-2050: renewable energy, expected to investments in infrastructure, pilot projects,
account for 90% of the world's power, will see solar and safety rules)
wind-based hydrogen leading the market12. This phase
o Craft policies that entice private
is particularly pertinent for developing countries, as it
investment and bolster renewable
promises enhanced energy accessibility in remote
energy projects through mechanisms
areas, including off-grid electricity generation, which is like PPAs, tariff systems, and funding
vital for regions with limited infrastructure. that reward energy input, thus fast-
Conclusion tracking the growth of essential
infrastructure and the share of solar and
PEM green hydrogen technology is key to a low-carbon wind in the energy sector32. In this
future and has the unique potential to harness abundant phase, pilot projects play a crucial role in
solar and wind resources in developing countries. While testing and demonstrating the viability
currently facing challenges in investment costs, safety, of green hydrogen production.
efficiency, and skilled workforce, addressing these
issues is crucial for its significant role in various sectors o Encourage policies that support green
like industry, transportation, and power. PEM green hydrogen production from renewable
hydrogen technology is especially suited for developing sources by introducing tax incentives
countries, as it can efficiently utilize their often and subsidies31,33, as well as investment
untapped solar and wind potentials. This not only in research and development so as to
fosters economic growth but also aligns with the UN's improve efficiency, cut costs, and foster
SDGs - SDG 7 for affordable and clean energy, SDG 11 for innovation.
sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 13 for o Strengthen regulations to ensure safety
climate action. Importantly, the technology contributes and environmental sustainability.
to a 'just' climate transition, ensuring that
advancements in green energy do not leave behind • Phase 2030-2040 (policies focus on
developing regions, thus supporting global efforts strengthening sector integration, scaling up
towards equitable and sustainable development. projects, exporting hydrogen)
o Expand the scope of policies to include
Policy Recommendations broader sectors like transportation, and
1. Developing a comprehensive hydrogen industry power generation.
roadmap and strategy aimed at ensuring investment
o Establish regulatory frameworks that
certainty for all involved stakeholders
favor green hydrogen, mandating its use
• Establishing a roadmap that begins with grey in certain sectors, setting minimum
(or blue) hydrogen and transitions to green usage targets, or creating favorable
hydrogen sources, leveraging existing pipelines conditions for renewable energy
for safe and cost-effective blending31. sources that feed into hydrogen
production30 .
• Formulate a comprehensive strategic plan that
delineates specific, attainable objectives for o Enhance public-private partnerships to
hydrogen production, application, and the scale up hydrogen projects.
advancement of necessary infrastructure, o Strategically implement policies that
ensuring a cohesive approach for hydrogen promote the export of hydrogen.
deployment across diverse industry sectors.
• Phase 2040-2050 (policies focus on maturity
• Foster stakeholder collaboration by actively and global integration)
engaging governments, businesses, industry
4
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

o Create a mature hydrogen market by private sector investment through risk-sharing

introducing competitive pricing in mechanisms.
electricity markets and for power grid
support services and storage, in order to References
generate new income sources for 1. Yodwong B, Guilbert D, Phattanasak M, Kaewmanee W,
hydrogen supply chains, thus promoting Hinaje M, Vitale G. AC-DC Converters for Electrolyzer
their feasibility and sustainability31,34. Applications: State of the Art and Future Challenges.
Electronics. 2020;9(6):912.
o Continuously update and refine policies
based on technological advancements 2. Chikhaliya NP, Rathwa YJ, Likhariya T.
and market feedback. Polybenzimidazoles as proton exchange membrane in fuel
cell applications. High Performance Polymers.
3. Boosting green hydrogen production in developing 2021;33(9):998-1011.
countries through international collaboration doi:10.1177/09540083211014251

• Enable technology transfer and capacity 3. Ufa RA, Malkova YY, Bay YD, Kievets AV. Analysis of the
building, sharing knowledge and expertise in problem of optimal placement and capacity of the
hydrogen energy storage system in the power system.
green hydrogen production:
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2023/02/08/
o The UN, particularly through UNIDO, 2023;48(12):4665-4675.
could support developing countries in doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.221
the green hydrogen sector by providing 4. Hren R, Vujanović A, Van Fan Y, Klemeš JJ, Krajnc D, Čuček
policy guidance, developing regulations, L. Hydrogen production, storage and transport for
codes, and standards to track and define renewable energy and chemicals: An environmental
low-carbon hydrogen production, and footprint assessment. Renewable and Sustainable Energy
facilitating international dialogues to Reviews. 2023/03/01/ 2023;173:113113.
align environmental regulations and doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.113113
analyze the impact of carbon pricing35. 5. Maestre VM, Ortiz A, Ortiz I. Challenges and prospects of
renewable hydrogen-based strategies for full
o Developed countries could contribute to
decarbonization of stationary power applications.
technology transfer by sharing Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
advanced green hydrogen technologies 2021/12/01/ 2021;152:111628.
and expertise, helping in identifying doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111628
appropriate technologies for replication
so as to bridge the technological gap 6. Hasan T, Emami K, Shah R, et al. A study on green
hydrogen-based isolated microgrid. Energy Reports.
with developing nations.
2022/11/01/ 2022;8:259-267.
• Facilitate international investment and funding, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.105
drawing resources from global partners to 7. IEA. Global Hydrogen Review 2021. Policy ET; 2021.
support green hydrogen projects in developing Accessed November 15, 2023.
regions: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/5bd46d7b-
906a-4429-abda-
o The UN could significantly enhance the e9c507a62341/GlobalHydrogenReview2021.pdf
green hydrogen sector in developing
countries by setting up public-private 8. Global Energy Monitor. Global Solar Power Tracker &
partnerships and utilizing its extensive Global Wind Power Tracker. Accessed December 06, 2023,
https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/
global networks to attract investors,
acting as mediators for technology 9. Shani N. 2023.
transfer agreements, ensuring fair and 10. REN21, UNECE. UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report.
sustainable deals between developed 2022. September 14, 2022. Accessed November 16, 2023.
and developing nations. https://www.ren21.net/wp-
content/uploads/2019/05/REN21_UNECE2022_FullRep
Developed nations can enhance green hydrogen
ort.pdf
projects in developing areas by offering direct financial
support and establishing bilateral or multilateral funds 11. BloombergNEF. Hydrogen – 10 Predictions for 2022.
dedicated to green hydrogen initiatives, encourge Accessed December 06, 2023,
https://about.bnef.com/blog/hydrogen-10-predictions-
for-2022/
5
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

12. IEA. Towards hydrogen definitions based on their economy. 2022.

emissions intensity. 2023. April 2023. https://commons.swinburne.edu.au/file/80f8414f-
https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/acc7a642- 5646-4d6b-ac77-
e42b-4972-8893- b2038857ea7a/1/swinburne_hydrogen_report.pdf
2f03bf0bfa03/Towardshydrogendefinitionsbasedontheir
23. Shiva Kumar S, Lim H. An overview of water electrolysis
emissionsintensity.pdf
technologies for green hydrogen production. Energy
13. Amin M, Shah HH, Fareed AG, et al. Hydrogen production Reports. 2022/11/01/ 2022;8:13793-13813.
through renewable and non-renewable energy processes doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.127
and their impact on climate change. International Journal
24. Cordonnier J, Saygin D. Green hydrogen opportunities for
of Hydrogen Energy. 2022/09/08/ 2022;47(77):33112-
emerging and developing economies: : Identifying success
33134.
factors for market development and building enabling
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.172
conditions. 2022;OECD Publishing, Paris: OECD
14. EERE. Accessed November 20, 2023, Environment Working Papers.
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_benefits.html#: doi:doi:https://doi.org/10.1787/53ad9f22-en
~:text=Once%20produced%2C%20hydrogen%20genera
25. Truby J, Philip P, Lorentz B. Green hydrogen: Energizing
tes%20electrical,water%20vapor%20and%20warm%20
the path to net zero. 2023.
air
https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-
15. Abohamzeh E, Salehi F, Sheikholeslami M, Abbassi R, Khan shared/docs/deloitte-green-hydrogen-report-2023.pdf
F. Review of hydrogen safety during storage, transmission,
26. Anouti Y, Kombargi R, Elborai S, Hage R. The dawn of
and applications processes. Journal of Loss Prevention in
green hydrogen: Maintaining the GCC's edge in a
the Process Industries. 2021/09/01/ 2021;72:104569.
decarbonized world. 2020.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2021.104569
https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/202
16. ISPT. Safety Aspects of Green Hydrogen Production on 0/the-dawn-of-green-hydrogen/the-dawn-of-green-
Industrial Scale. 2023. November 1, 2023. hydrogen.pdf
https://ispt.eu/media/01112023-ISPT-Public-Report-
27. Zhao G, Nielsen ER. Deliverable 5.5. Social Impact
Safety-Aspects-of-Green-Hydrogen-Production-on-
Assessment of BIG HIT. Storage DoECa; 2018.
Industrial-Scale-1.pdf
https://www.bighit.eu/s/D55-A-report-into-the-
17. DiChristopher T. Hydrogen technology faces efficiency societal-impact-of-the-project.pdf
disadvantage in power storage race. Accessed November
28. Zhao G, Nielsen ER. Deliverable 5.3. Environmental Impact
30, 2023,
Study of BIG HIT. Storage DoECa; 2018.
https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news
https://www.bighit.eu/s/D53-A-report-into-the-
-insights/latest-news-headlines/hydrogen-technology-
environmental-impact-of-the-project.pdf
faces-efficiency-disadvantage-in-power-storage-race-
65162028 29. Martínez S, Greco G. Deliverable 5.2. An updated report of
the business models to be disseminated to follower
18. El-Shafie M. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis
territories (the Final Replication Study) and OHT. 2022.
technologies: A review. Results in Engineering.
https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/
2023/12/01/ 2023;20:101426.
downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5ee284253&app
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101426
Id=PPGMS
19. Peng L, Wei Z. Catalyst Engineering for Electrochemical
30. Do D. 2023.
Energy Conversion from Water to Water: Water
Electrolysis and the Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Engineering. 31. Suryadi B, Bhaskoro AG, Suwanto, Yanfei L. Hydrogen in
2020/06/01/ 2020;6(6):653-679. ASEAN: Economic Prospects, Development &
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2019.07.028 Applications. 2021. http://go.aseanenergy.org/Bde6a
20. Agarwal R. Transition to a Hydrogen-Based Economy: 32. Falcone PM. Sustainable Energy Policies in Developing
Possibilities and Challenges. Sustainability. Countries: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities.
2022;14(23):15975. Energies. 2023;16(18):6682.
21. Beasy K, Emery S, Pryor K, Vo TA. Skilling the green 33. PwC. Embracing clean hydrogen for Australia: How the
hydrogen economy: A case study from Australia. journey towards decarbonisation can be fuelled by
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2023/06/22/ Hydrogen. 2020.
2023;48(52):19811-19820. https://www.pwc.com.au/infrastructure/embracing-
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.02.061 clean-hydrogen-for-australia-270320.pdf
22. Pryor K. Hydrogen Skills Roadmap: An analysis of the 34. Pham D. 2023.
skills and training needs to support a future hydrogen

6
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

35. Saygin D, Cordonnier J. International collaboration for

financing green hydrogen development. Accessed
December 17, 2023,
https://www.oecd.org/environment/cc/cefim/green-
hydrogen/internationalcollaborationforfinancinggreenh
ydrogendevelopment.htm
36. Group CE. Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Answers to four common
questions. https://www.cleanegroup.org/wp-
content/uploads/Hydrogen-Fuel-Cell-Fact-Sheet.pdf

7
 Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2024

Annex
Annex 1. List of Experts Consulted
Full name Title Affiliation
Nadhilah Shani ACE Senior Research Analyst ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)
Darius Do Project Manager Indefol Solar
Duy Pham Chief of Credit Acceptance – Corporate A Bangkok based bank
Banking

Annex 2. Overview of Hydrogen Production Technologies

Hydrogen production can be categorized into three types, commonly referred to by color codes: gray, blue, and green.
Gray hydrogen, the most prevalent form, is produced using natural gas or coal as the feedstock. This feedstock undergoes
a reaction with steam at high temperatures and pressures, resulting in the formation of synthesis gas, primarily
composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In contrast, blue hydrogen follows the same production process as gray
hydrogen but incorporates carbon-capture technology to trap up to 90% of the GHG, thereby reducing its environmental
impact. Green hydrogen is distinctively produced using renewable energy sources to power the electrolysis process,
which separates water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The use of renewable energy sources is what renders this
hydrogen production method “green.”
There are three primary electrolysis technologies, each at a different stage of development. Alkaline water (ALK)
electrolysis is the most basic and established, commanding about 70% of the green hydrogen market share. It is favored
for its low cost and long operational life. However, ALK electrolysis requires continuous operation to avoid damaging
the equipment, making it unsuitable for power solely by intermittent renewable energy sources. Proton Exchange
Membrane (PEM) electrolysis, which holds about 30% of the market share, is increasingly preferred by leading
electrolyzer manufacturers. PEM electrolysis produces higher-quality hydrogen and can operate intermittently, aligning
better with renewable energy sources, though it is costlier and has lower production rates than ALK. Lastly, solid oxide
electrolyzer cell technology, still in the research and development phase, promises high efficiency at a lower cost but
faces challenges like lengthy startup times and shorter component lifespans.
Green hydrogen, produced through renewable-powered electrolysis, emerges as a clean energy source with the
advantage of long-term storage and transportability over significant distances. This type of hydrogen is poised to play a
significant role in various sectors, including heating, transportation, power generation, chemicals, and primary steel
manufacturing.

Data source: modified from Clean Energy Group (2022)36