Current Challenges and Future Opportunities of Hydrogen Energy 2024

Dear Colleagues,

The emerging field of hydrogen energy marks a pivotal shift in the landscape of sustainable energy solutions, with its potential to revolutionize both the environmental impact and efficiency of energy systems globally. Hydrogen, as an energy carrier, offers distinct advantages due to its high energy density and clean combustion. This Special Issue on hydrogen energy calls for contributions that examine the multifaceted aspects of this domain, involving the production, storage, and utilization of hydrogen. Key themes include advanced methods for hydrogen production, which are critical for realizing a green hydrogen economy. Furthermore, this Special Issue may explore innovative storage solutions, addressing the challenges of hydrogen's low volumetric energy density. This includes research on surface- and subsurface-based storage solutions. Equally important is the development of efficient hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity, thereby offering a clean alternative for powering vehicles and supplementing renewable energy grids. This Special Issue is likely to emphasize the integration of hydrogen energy into existing infrastructures and its role in achieving carbon neutrality. It is a call for interdisciplinary approaches to address the scientific and technical challenges inherent in transitioning to a hydrogen-based energy future. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the advancement and deployment of hydrogen technologies, promoting a sustainable and energy-secure world.

The scope of this Special Issue may include, but is not limited to, the following topics:

1. Hydrogen production techniques: this sub-theme focuses on methods for producing hydrogen, such as water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, solar-driven photolysis, and biological processes like bio-photolysis.
2. Hydrogen storage solutions: This sub-theme addresses the challenges of efficiently storing and transporting hydrogen. It includes research on materials for high-density hydrogen storage, such as metal hydrides, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, advanced compression techniques, subsurface storing techniques, as well as innovations in the distribution infrastructure.
3. Fuel cell technology: This sub-theme is dedicated to the development and optimization of hydrogen fuel cells, including Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), and others. It covers advances in materials, design, durability, and efficiency, as well as applications in transportation, stationary power, and portable power devices.
4. Integration of hydrogen in energy systems: This sub-topic explores the role of hydrogen in integrating and balancing renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind. It includes studies on hydrogen as an energy buffer, its use in grid stabilization, and the development of hybrid systems that combine renewable energy sources with hydrogen production and storage.
5. Economic and lifecycle analysis of hydrogen energy: This sub-theme focuses on the economic aspects and lifecycle impacts of hydrogen energy. It encompasses cost analysis; market potential; the lifecycle assessment (LCA) of hydrogen production, storage, and usage; and the economic feasibility of hydrogen-based energy systems.
6. Safety, risk, and environmental impact of hydrogen: This sub-theme is dedicated to the safety aspects of hydrogen production, storage, and use. It covers risk assessment, safety engineering, the development of safety standards and protocols, and studies on the environmental impact of hydrogen energy, including its potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Advanced materials for hydrogen energy: This sub-theme focuses on the development and characterization of new materials that can enhance the efficiency and performance of hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell technologies. This includes nanomaterials, composites, catalysts, membranes, and other innovative materials that can improve hydrogen energy systems.

Dr. Saeed Mahmoodpour
Dr. Mrityunjay Singh
Guest Editors

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• green hydrogen
• hydrogen production
• hydrogen storage
• fuel cell technology
• energy systems integration
• safety
• life cycle assessment