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Hydrogen is acknowledged as a crucial component in achieving a low-carbon, sustainable energy future due to its diverse applications in industrial operations, transportation, and residential energy. This article meticulously examines the manufacturing pathways for hydrogen, categorized as green, blue, grey, and turquoise based on feedstocks, production methods, and associated carbon emissions. The paper analyzes fundamental production methods, encompassing electrochemical techniques such as water electrolysis and thermal methods like steam methane reforming and gasification. It also considers novel thermochemical, photochemical, and biological processes. The potential of pyrolysis and hydrogen-from-waste methods to utilize waste streams and offer benefits for the circular economy is also examined. This article evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of each method by synthesizing the latest findings from extensive research, concentrating on production expenses, energy efficiency, and lifecycle carbon emissions. Global case studies demonstrate the effective application of hydrogen across several contexts, including residential fuel cell installations for combined heat and power, industrial cogeneration systems, and urban transportation initiatives utilizing fuel cell buses. These real-world instances underscore practical issues in infrastructure and cost management while demonstrating hydrogen’s potential to transform several industries. Recent advancements, such as solid oxide electrolysis and artificial photosynthesis, offer potential for enhancing the economy and efficiency of hydrogen production. The paper concludes with strategic proposals for governments, corporate leaders, and academics, advocating for international collaboration, policy endorsement, and investments in technological advancement. This paper offers stakeholders a strategic framework to expedite the hydrogen economy and promote global sustainable energy objectives by examining various hydrogen production methods and their impacts.
Mohammadi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.