High-Current Alkaline Water Electrolysis under Fluctuating Renewable Power: Challenges, Mechanisms, and Electrode Innovations

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) represents a critical technological pathway for large-scale green hydrogen production. However, conventional electrode materials and operational strategies are primarily designed for stable grid conditions and struggle to accommodate the fluctuation, intermittency, and randomness inherent to high-proportion renewable energy integration. When AWE systems are directly coupled with fluctuating power sources, the electrodes are subjected to multiple interrelated operational stresses involving steady-state high current densities, dynamic load variations, and frequent startup/shutdown cycles. These conditions induce intertwined failure mechanisms, including physical detachment, chemical corrosion, and structural reconstruction driven by reverse currents, which severely undermine operational stability and lifetime. This Perspective focuses on the degradation behavior of AWE electrodes under fluctuating renewable power, systematically elucidating the coupled physical and chemical damage mechanisms under high-current-density and dynamic conditions. Mitigation strategies are comprehensively summarized from the perspectives of structural engineering, interface regulation, intrinsic material design, and self-repairing approaches. Finally, future directions are proposed regarding the establishment of dynamic evaluation protocols, the development of advanced characterization techniques, and the integration of interdisciplinary methodologies. This Perspective aims to guide the paradigm shift in electrode design from “steady-state optimization” toward “dynamic durability”, providing theoretical insights and design principles for next-generation AWE electrodes compatible with fluctuating renewable power . Under fluctuating renewable power, alkaline water electrolysis electrodes endure coupled steady-state, dynamic, and transient stresses, triggering intertwined physical damage and chemical corrosion. This Perspective summarizes mitigation strategies including structural engineering, interface reinforcement, material design against reverse polarization, and self-repairing approaches. Future directions emphasize dynamic testing standards, operando characterization, and AI-assisted screening to enable the paradigm shift from steady-state optimization toward dynamic durability. • Fluctuating power drives coupled physical and chemical degradation in AWEs. • Structural and interfacial engineering boosts the dynamic durability of AWEs. • Intrinsic material designs mitigate polarity reversal and reverse currents. • Dynamic testing and AI models are vital for resilient AWE electrode design.