Environmental Impact Reduction Potential of Hydrogen Production from Biobased Resources

Hydrogen demand is rapidly increasing, intensifying concerns over the environmental impacts of fossil-derived hydrogen production. This review critically examines the environmental impact reduction potential of hydrogen production from biobased resources by synthesizing current literature on feedstock availability, conversion technologies, and life cycle environmental performance. Biobased feedstocks, including agricultural and forest residues, and algae, are considered promising alternatives that can support diversified and regionally adaptable hydrogen supply chains. This review compares thermochemical, biological, and electrochemical hydrogen production pathways, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Emerging technologies, such as plasma catalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting, and photobiological systems, are discussed for their potential to further reduce emissions, despite their early-stage development. Reported life cycle assessment results indicate that biochemical conversion pathways exhibit carbon footprints ranging from 1.0 to 5.59 kg CO2-eq/kg H2, approximately 60% lower than those of thermochemical processes (13.7 kg CO2-eq/kg H2). Moreover, integrating low-emission energy sources into hydrogen production is essential for further reducing environmental impacts and production costs. A comparative evaluation indicates that biobased hydrogen production achieves carbon footprint as low as 0.4 kg CO2-eq/kg H2, substantially lower than that of conventional steam methane reforming (10 kg CO2-eq/kg H2). Overall, biobased hydrogen production offers a lower-carbon alternative to fossil-based routes, particularly when coupled with low-carbon energy inputs. Furthermore, regions such as Idaho present favorable opportunities for large-scale hydrogen production through its robust hydropower and nuclear energy capacity, enabling efficient and affordable hydrogen production. Integrating sustainable feedstock with advanced conversion technologies can support the transition toward resilient hydrogen infrastructure.