Hydrogen Production, Storage, Utilisation and Environmental Impacts: A Review

Ahmed I. Osman; Neha Mehta; Ahmed M. Elgarahy; Mahmoud Hefny; Amer Al‑Hinai; Ala’a H. Al‑Muhtaseb; David W. Rooney

Abstract

Dihydrogen (H2), commonly named ‘hydrogen’, is increasingly recognised as a clean and reliable energy vector for decarbonisation and defossilisation by various sectors. The global hydrogen demand is projected to increase from 70 million tonnes in 2019 to 120 million tonnes by 2024. Hydrogen development should also meet the seventh goal of ‘affordable and clean energy’ of the United Nations. Here we review hydrogen production and life cycle analysis, hydrogen geological storage and hydrogen utilisation. Hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis, steam methane reforming, methane pyrolysis and coal gasification. We compare the environmental impact of hydrogen production routes by life cycle analysis. Hydrogen is used in power systems, transportation, hydrocarbon and ammonia production, and metallugical industries. Overall, combining electrolysis-generated hydrogen with hydrogen storage in underground porous media such as geological reservoirs and salt caverns is well suited for shifting excess of-peak energy to meet dispatchable on-peak demand.

Funding source: The authors would like to thank OQ Oman for their generous fnancial support (project code: CR/DVC/SERC/19/01). The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University. Ahmed Osman and David Rooney wish to acknowledge the support of The Bryden Centre project (Project ID VA5048). The Bryden Centre project is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Neha Mehta acknowledges funding from the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE). CASE is funded through Invest NI’s Competence Centre Programme and aims to transform the sustainable energy sector through business research.

Keywords: Climate Change ; Future Gas Policy & the Hydrogen Economy ; Hydrogen Production ; Hydrogen Storage ; Hydrogen Utilisation ; Life Cycle Assessment

Related subjects: Policy & Socio-Economics

Countries: Egypt ; Oman ; Switzerland ; United Kingdom