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Towards Sustainable Hydrogen Production: Integrating Technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage for Industrial and Energy Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 August 2025 | Viewed by 1790

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Cristian Dincă

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
2. Department of Energy Generation and Use, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: clean energy sector; transport sector; chemical industrial sector; energy storage; H2-CH4 co-combustion; biofuels; decarbonization; energy independence and security; grid balancing and sector coupling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogen (H2) production is pivotal for industrial and energy purposes, catalyzing sustainable advancements across various sectors. This abstract highlights the significance of H2 production (electrolysis, steam methane reforming, biomass gasification, etc.), particularly focusing on its indispensable role in the realms of industry and energy.

In industrial applications, hydrogen serves as a versatile feedstock, essential for chemical processes including petroleum refining, ammonia production, and methanol synthesis. Its role as a key component in these processes underscores its significance in driving industrial growth and innovation. Moreover, hydrogen's potential extends far beyond industrial applications, as it is a cornerstone in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.

In the energy sector, hydrogen is a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels, offering a clean and efficient source of energy. As nations worldwide intensify efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, the transition towards hydrogen-based energy systems has gained traction. H2 is a viable way to decarbonize various sectors, including transportation, heating, and electricity generation, thereby mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion.

Crucially, the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies stands as a paramount strategy for facilitating hydrogen production while circumventing CO2 emissions. By capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or power plants and storing them underground or utilizing them in other applications, CCUS ensures that hydrogen production remains environmentally sustainable. This synergy between H2 production and CCUS technologies not only reduces carbon footprints but also enhances the viability and scalability of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology has been proven invaluable for evaluating the holistic environmental impact of hydrogen production pathways. By assessing each stage of the production process, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, LCA provides a comprehensive understanding of the environmental footprint associated with different hydrogen production methods. This approach enables stakeholders to identify areas of high environmental burden, optimize processes to minimize resource consumption and emissions, and, ultimately, make informed decisions to shift towards more sustainable means of hydrogen production. LCA fosters transparency, guiding the development of environmentally responsible strategies aligning with broader sustainability objectives, thus ensuring the advancement of hydrogen as a clean and eco-friendly energy carrier.

In conclusion, the importance of hydrogen production for both industrial and energy purposes underscores its pivotal role in fostering sustainability and addressing climate change-related challenges. The integration of CCUS technologies further enhances the environmental credentials of hydrogen production, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

Prof. Dr. Cristian Dincă
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogen generation
  • electrolyzer technology
  • biomass gasification
  • membrane technology
  • CCUS technology
  • clean energy
  • energy security
  • hydrogen life cycle assessment
  • negative emissions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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36 pages, 2916 KiB  
Article
Integrating Power-to-Methane with Carbon Capture (P2M-CC) for Sustainable Decarbonization in Cement Manufacturing
by Cristian Dincă and Nela Slavu
Energies 2025, 18(4), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18040777 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 661
Abstract
The cement industry is one of the industries with the highest contribution to global CO2 emissions due to its energy-intensive processes and the use of fossil fuels. This study evaluates the integration of the P2M-CC (power-to-methane with carbon capture) concept in cement [...] Read more.
The cement industry is one of the industries with the highest contribution to global CO2 emissions due to its energy-intensive processes and the use of fossil fuels. This study evaluates the integration of the P2M-CC (power-to-methane with carbon capture) concept in cement plants to reduce the carbon footprint of the cement produced. Three cement plant modernization scenarios, involving replacing natural gas with synthetic methane obtained by methanation of green hydrogen and CO2 captured from the industrial process, were analyzed. The results show that integrating the P2M-CC concept reduced the CO2 emission factor from 789 kg/ton cement (baseline scenario) to 85 kg/ton (in all analyzed scenarios). However, the initial investment costs increased significantly by 5.8 times in S2.2, 5.2 times in S2.3, and 13 times in S2.1, compared to the baseline scenario, by adding the necessary equipment for electrolysis, methanation, and CO2 capture. On the other hand, operating costs decreased the most in S2.2, by 42.2% compared to the baseline scenario, while in S2.1, they decreased by 10.9%, and in S2.3, they increased by 141%. The ideal scenario (S2.2) showed the best economic and environmental performance, with an LCOC of 71 €/ton of cement and an NPV of 2609 million €, due to excess electricity produced by the wind plants without additional investment costs. In contrast, the complete scenario (S2.1), characterized by significant investments in wind power plants and CO2 capture technology, showed an LCOC of 297 €/ton of cement, while the realistic scenario (S2.3), with high operational costs, had an LCOC of 333 €/ton cement. Using synthetic methane in all proposed scenarios reduced fossil fuel dependency and CO2 emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Hydrogen Production: Integrating Technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage for Industrial and Energy Applications)
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Review

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29 pages, 5534 KiB  
Review
Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production
by Asim Jilani and Hussameldin Ibrahim
Energies 2025, 18(7), 1603; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071603 - 23 Mar 2025
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Hydrogen production via water splitting is a crucial strategy for addressing the global energy crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions. This review systematically examines water-splitting mechanisms, with a focus on photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. It provides in-depth discussions on charge transfer, reaction kinetics, [...] Read more.
Hydrogen production via water splitting is a crucial strategy for addressing the global energy crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions. This review systematically examines water-splitting mechanisms, with a focus on photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. It provides in-depth discussions on charge transfer, reaction kinetics, and key processes such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Various electrode synthesis techniques, including hydrothermal methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and radio frequency sputtering (RF), are reviewed for their advantages and limitations. The role of carbon-based materials such as graphene, biochar, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is also highlighted. Their exceptional conductivity, tunable band structures, and surface functionalities contribute to efficient charge separation and enhanced light absorption. Further, advancements in heterojunctions, doped systems, and hybrid composites are explored for their ability to improve photocatalytic and PEC performance by minimizing charge recombination, optimizing electronic structures, and increasing active sites for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Key challenges, including material stability, cost, scalability, and solar spectrum utilization, are critically analyzed, along with emerging strategies such as novel synthesis approaches and sustainable material development. By integrating water splitting mechanisms, electrode synthesis techniques, and advancements in carbon-based materials, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on sustainable hydrogen production, bridging previously isolated research domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Hydrogen Production: Integrating Technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage for Industrial and Energy Applications)
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