Navigating the Intersection of Microgrids and Hydrogen: Evolutionary Trends, Challenges, and Future Strategies

Growing interest in sustainable energy has gathered significant attention for alternative technologies, with hydrogen-based solutions emerging as a crucial component in the transition to cleaner and more resilient energy systems. Following that, hydrogen-based microgrids, integrated with renewable energy sources including wind and solar, have gained substantial attention as an upcoming pathway toward long-term energy sustainability. Hydrogen, produced through processes such as electrolysis and steam methane reforming, can be stored in various forms including compressed gas, liquid, or solid-state hydrides, and later utilized for electricity generation through fuel cells and gas turbines. This dynamic energy system offers highly flexible, scalable, and resilient solutions for various applications. Specifically, hydrogen-based microgrids are particularly suitable for offshore and islanded applications, with geographical factors, adverse environmental conditions, and limited access to conventional energy solutions. This is critical for energy independence, long-term storage capacity, and grid stability. This review explores topological and functional-based classifications of microgrids, advancements in hydrogen generation, storage, and utilization technologies, and their integration with microgrid systems. It also critically evaluates the key challenges of each technology, including cost, efficiency, and scalability, which impact the feasibility of hydrogen microgrids.