IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i2p404-d1569742.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Green Hydrogen for Energy Transition: A Critical Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Ruggero Angelico

    (Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Ferruccio Giametta

    (Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Biagio Bianchi

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Pasquale Catalano

    (Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

Abstract

Green hydrogen (GH 2 ) is emerging as a key driver of global energy transition, offering a sustainable pathway to decarbonize energy systems and achieve climate objectives. This review critically examines the state of GH 2 research production technologies and their integration into renewable energy systems, supported by a bibliometric analysis of the recent literature. Produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, GH 2 shows significant potential to decarbonize industries, enhance grid stability, and support the Power-to-X paradigm, which interlinks electricity, heating, transportation, and industrial applications. However, widespread adoption faces challenges, including high production costs, infrastructure constraints, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. Addressing these barriers requires advancements in electrolyzer efficiency, scalable fuel cell technologies, and efficient storage solutions. Sector-coupled smart grids incorporating hydrogen demonstrate the potential to integrate GH 2 into energy systems, enhancing renewable energy utilization and ensuring system reliability. Economic analyses predict that GH 2 can achieve cost parity with fossil fuels by 2030 and will play a foundational role in low-carbon energy systems by 2050. Its ability to convert surplus renewable electricity into clean energy carriers positions it as a cornerstone for decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors, such as industry, transportation, and heating. This review underscores the transformative potential of GH 2 in creating a sustainable energy future. By addressing technical, economic, and policy challenges and through coordinated efforts in innovation and infrastructure development, GH 2 can accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral energy systems and contribute to achieving global climate goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruggero Angelico & Ferruccio Giametta & Biagio Bianchi & Pasquale Catalano, 2025. "Green Hydrogen for Energy Transition: A Critical Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-47, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:2:p:404-:d:1569742
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/404/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/404/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jasmine Ramsebner & Reinhard Haas & Amela Ajanovic & Martin Wietschel, 2021. "The sector coupling concept: A critical review," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(4), July.
    2. Zongao Xie & Qihang Jin & Guanli Su & Wei Lu, 2024. "A Review of Hydrogen Storage and Transportation: Progresses and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-30, August.
    3. Roberta Caponi & Enrico Bocci & Luca Del Zotto, 2022. "Techno-Economic Model for Scaling Up of Hydrogen Refueling Stations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Antweiler, Werner & Schlund, David, 2024. "The emerging international trade in hydrogen: Environmental policies, innovation, and trade dynamics," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    5. Squadrito, Gaetano & Maggio, Gaetano & Nicita, Agatino, 2023. "The green hydrogen revolution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    6. Mohideen, Mohamedazeem M. & Subramanian, Balachandran & Sun, Jingyi & Ge, Jing & Guo, Han & Radhamani, Adiyodi Veettil & Ramakrishna, Seeram & Liu, Yong, 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of different shades of renewable and non-renewable energy-based hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    7. Qureshi, Fazil & Yusuf, Mohammad & Ahmed, Salman & Haq, Moinul & Alraih, Alhafez M. & Hidouri, Tarek & Kamyab, Hesam & Vo, Dai-Viet N. & Ibrahim, Hussameldin, 2024. "Advancements in sorption-based materials for hydrogen storage and utilization: A comprehensive review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    8. Qusay Hassan & Itimad D. J. Azzawi & Aws Zuhair Sameen & Hayder M. Salman, 2023. "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, July.
    9. Jimiao Zhang & Jie Li, 2024. "Revolution in Renewables: Integration of Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-26, August.
    10. David Borge-Diez & Enrique Rosales-Asensio & Emin Açıkkalp & Daniel Alonso-Martínez, 2023. "Analysis of Power to Gas Technologies for Energy Intensive Industries in European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Seck, Gondia S. & Hache, Emmanuel & Sabathier, Jerome & Guedes, Fernanda & Reigstad, Gunhild A. & Straus, Julian & Wolfgang, Ove & Ouassou, Jabir A. & Askeland, Magnus & Hjorth, Ida & Skjelbred, Hans , 2022. "Hydrogen and the decarbonization of the energy system in europe in 2050: A detailed model-based analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    12. Leiming Wang & Wei Liu & Haipeng Sun & Li Yang & Liang Huang, 2024. "Advancements and Policy Implications of Green Hydrogen Production from Renewable Sources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-14, July.
    13. Zhu, Shijie & Shi, Xilin & Yang, Chunhe & Bai, Weizheng & Wei, Xinxing & Yang, Kun & Li, Peng & Li, Hang & Li, Yinping & Wang, Guibin, 2024. "Site selection evaluation for salt cavern hydrogen storage in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    14. Erika Barison & Federica Donda & Barbara Merson & Yann Le Gallo & Arnaud Réveillère, 2023. "An Insight into Underground Hydrogen Storage in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    15. Bloess, Andreas & Schill, Wolf-Peter & Zerrahn, Alexander, 2018. "Power-to-heat for renewable energy integration: A review of technologies, modeling approaches, and flexibility potentials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 1611-1626.
    16. Bloess, Andreas & Schill, Wolf-Peter & Zerrahn, Alexander, 2018. "Power-to-heat for renewable energy integration: A review of technologies, modeling approaches, and flexibility potentials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 1611-1626.
    17. Murray, Portia & Carmeliet, Jan & Orehounig, Kristina, 2020. "Multi-Objective Optimisation of Power-to-Mobility in Decentralised Multi-Energy Systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    18. Lifeng Du & Yanmei Yang & Luli Zhou & Min Liu, 2024. "Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential and Economics of Green Hydrogen via Water Electrolysis: A Systematic Review of Value-Chain-Wide Decarbonization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-37, May.
    19. Drünert, Sebastian & Neuling, Ulf & Zitscher, Tjerk & Kaltschmitt, Martin, 2020. "Power-to-Liquid fuels for aviation – Processes, resources and supply potential under German conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    20. Kirill Durkin & Ali Khanafer & Philip Liseau & Adam Stjernström-Eriksson & Arvid Svahn & Linnéa Tobiasson & Tatiana Santos Andrade & Jimmy Ehnberg, 2024. "Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: Comparing the Powertrain Efficiency and Sustainability of Fuel Cell versus Internal Combustion Engine Cars," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-15, February.
    21. Satu Lipiäinen & Eeva-Lotta Apajalahti & Esa Vakkilainen, 2023. "Decarbonization Prospects for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: Different Development Pathways and Needed Actions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, January.
    22. Gabriela Elena Badea & Cristina Hora & Ioana Maior & Anca Cojocaru & Calin Secui & Sanda Monica Filip & Florin Ciprian Dan, 2022. "Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Seawater Electrolysis: Through Fundamental Electrochemical Principles to the Most Recent Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-31, November.
    23. Lee, Boreum & Lee, Hyunjun & Lim, Dongjun & Brigljević, Boris & Cho, Wonchul & Cho, Hyun-Seok & Kim, Chang-Hee & Lim, Hankwon, 2020. "Renewable methanol synthesis from renewable H2 and captured CO2: How can power-to-liquid technology be economically feasible?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    24. Adrian Neacsa & Cristian Nicolae Eparu & Doru Bogdan Stoica, 2022. "Hydrogen–Natural Gas Blending in Distribution Systems—An Energy, Economic, and Environmental Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-26, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Christopher Selvam, D. & Devarajan, Yuvarajan & Raja, T. & Vickram, Sundaram, 2025. "Advancements in water electrolysis technologies and enhanced storage solutions for green hydrogen using renewable energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    2. Luciano T. Barbosa & Pedro A. C. Rosas & José F. C. Castro & Samuel D. Vasconcelos & Paulo H. R. P. Gama & Douglas C. P. Barbosa, 2025. "Proposal for an Energy Efficiency Index for Green Hydrogen Production—An Integrated Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-29, June.
    3. Qing Chang & Xiangbo Fan & Shaohui Zou, 2025. "Threshold Effects of Renewable Energy Investment on the Energy Efficiency–Fossil Fuel Consumption Nexus: Evidence from 71 Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Haoyu Zhang & Jiangong Zhu & Chao Wang & Hao Yuan & Haifeng Dai & Xuezhe Wei, 2025. "Experimental Study on the Impact of Flow Rate Strategies on the Mass Transfer Impedance of PEM Electrolyzers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    5. Georgios Giakoumakis & Dimitrios Sidiras, 2025. "Production and Storage of Hydrogen from Biomass and Other Sources: Technologies and Policies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-41, January.
    6. Patrizia Ghisellini & Renato Passaro & Sergio Ulgiati, 2025. "Is Green Hydrogen an Environmentally and Socially Sound Solution for Decarbonizing Energy Systems Within a Circular Economy Transition?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-55, May.
    7. Lu, Jiahao & Tao, Ran & Yao, Zhifeng & Xiao, Ruofu & Liu, Weichao, 2025. "Transient simulation energy study of fast opening of guide vane during start-up of pump turbine in energy storage mode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ana-Maria Chirosca & Eugen Rusu & Viorel Minzu, 2024. "Green Hydrogen—Production and Storage Methods: Current Status and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-27, November.
    2. Knorr, L. & Buchenau, N. & Schlosser, F. & Divkovic, D. & Prina, M.G. & Meschede, H., 2025. "Electrification and flexibility of process heat in energy system modelling: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    3. de Guibert, Paul & Shirizadeh, Behrang & Quirion, Philippe, 2020. "Variable time-step: A method for improving computational tractability for energy system models with long-term storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    4. Østergaard, P.A. & Lund, H. & Thellufsen, J.Z. & Sorknæs, P. & Mathiesen, B.V., 2022. "Review and validation of EnergyPLAN," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    5. Joel Bertilsson & Lisa Göransson & Filip Johnsson, 2024. "Impact of Energy-Related Properties of Cities on Optimal Urban Energy System Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-24, August.
    6. Kim, Ju-Hee & Kim, Hee-Hoon & Yoo, Seung-Hoon, 2022. "Social acceptance toward constructing a combined heat and power plant near people's dwellings in South Korea," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PB).
    7. Arkadiusz Małek & Andrzej Marciniak, 2025. "Operational Analysis of Power Generation from a Photovoltaic–Wind Mix and Low-Emission Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-25, May.
    8. Stančin, H. & Mikulčić, H. & Wang, X. & Duić, N., 2020. "A review on alternative fuels in future energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    9. Gerbaulet, Clemens & von Hirschhausen, Christian & Kemfert, Claudia & Lorenz, Casimir & Oei, Pao-Yu, 2019. "European electricity sector decarbonization under different levels of foresight," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 141, pages 973-987.
    10. Sihvonen, Ville & Ollila, Iisa & Jaanto, Jasmin & Grönman, Aki & Honkapuro, Samuli & Riikonen, Juhani & Price, Alisdair, 2024. "Role of power-to-heat and thermal energy storage in decarbonization of district heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    11. Guelpa, Elisa & Bischi, Aldo & Verda, Vittorio & Chertkov, Michael & Lund, Henrik, 2019. "Towards future infrastructures for sustainable multi-energy systems: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 2-21.
    12. Vassilis M. Charitopoulos & Mathilde Fajardy & Chi Kong Chyong & David M. Reiner, 2022. "The case of 100% electrification of domestic heat in Great Britain," Working Papers EPRG2206, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    13. Shirizadeh, Behrang & Quirion, Philippe, 2022. "The importance of renewable gas in achieving carbon-neutrality: Insights from an energy system optimization model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    14. Zhang, Menglin & Wu, Qiuwei & Wen, Jinyu & Pan, Bo & Qi, Shiqiang, 2020. "Two-stage stochastic optimal operation of integrated electricity and heat system considering reserve of flexible devices and spatial-temporal correlation of wind power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    15. Sara Bellocchi & Michele Manno & Michel Noussan & Michela Vellini, 2019. "Impact of Grid-Scale Electricity Storage and Electric Vehicles on Renewable Energy Penetration: A Case Study for Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-32, April.
    16. Fridgen, Gilbert & Keller, Robert & Körner, Marc-Fabian & Schöpf, Michael, 2020. "A holistic view on sector coupling," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    17. Zhao, Yongliang & Song, Jian & Liu, Ming & Zhao, Yao & Olympios, Andreas V. & Sapin, Paul & Yan, Junjie & Markides, Christos N., 2022. "Thermo-economic assessments of pumped-thermal electricity storage systems employing sensible heat storage materials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 431-456.
    18. Stefan Arens & Sunke Schlüters & Benedikt Hanke & Karsten von Maydell & Carsten Agert, 2020. "Sustainable Residential Energy Supply: A Literature Review-Based Morphological Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-28, January.
    19. Minjae Son & Minsoo Kim & Hongseok Kim, 2023. "Sector Coupling and Migration towards Carbon-Neutral Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.
    20. Els van der Roest & Stijn Beernink & Niels Hartog & Jan Peter van der Hoek & Martin Bloemendal, 2021. "Towards Sustainable Heat Supply with Decentralized Multi-Energy Systems by Integration of Subsurface Seasonal Heat Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-31, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:2:p:404-:d:1569742. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.