Progress and Prospects of Hydrogen Production: Opportunities and challenges

This study presents an overview of the current status of hydrogen production in relation to the global requirement for energy and resources. Subsequently, it symmetrically outlines the advantages and disadvantages of various production routes including fossil fuel/biomass conversion, water electrolysis, microbial fermentation, and photocatalysis (PC), in terms of their technologies, economy, energy consumption, and costs. Considering the characteristics of hydrogen energy and the current infrastructure issues, it highlights that onsite production is indispensable and convenient for some special occasions. Finally, it briefly summarizes the current industrialization situation and presents future development and research directions, such as theoretical research strengthening, renewable raw material development, process coupling, and sustainable energy use.