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Hydrogen Economy in the Global Energy Transition

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A5: Hydrogen Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2025 | Viewed by 2907

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of a hydrogen economy originated during the 1960s, developing into the modern-day "the third hydrogen wave", which has recently gained considerable attention as a promising solution to the challenges faced in decarbonization, energy security, and energy transition. The hydrogen economy is central to meeting global energy needs, fostering a transition from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy. The hydrogen economy is the chain of production, distribution, and efficient utilization of hydrogen in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation. Hydrogen can be produced using several different methods. The most common methods include steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and biomass gasification; however, some common challenges include expensive production methods, infrastructure development, and the need for large-scale renewable energy. In addition, there are concerns regarding storage and transportation, and safety is paramount. Despite these limitations, the hydrogen economy represents an effective option for a sustainable energy future. Governments, industries, and research institutions worldwide are investing in research and development to unlock the full potential of hydrogen as a clean energy solution.

Prof. Dr. Tatiana Morosuk
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrogen economy
  • hydrogen production
  • hydrogen transportation
  • hydrogen storage
  • power-to-X
  • market analysis
  • energy/exergy analysis
  • economic analysis
  • LCA
  • optimization

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 1595 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Hydrogen Storage and Pipelines for Hydrogen Farm
by Esmaeil Alssalehin, Paul Holborn and Pericles Pilidis
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051167 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
This paper presents a thorough initial evaluation of hydrogen gaseous storage and pipeline infrastructure, emphasizing health and safety protocols as well as capacity considerations pertinent to industrial applications. As hydrogen increasingly establishes itself as a vital energy vector within the transition towards low-carbon [...] Read more.
This paper presents a thorough initial evaluation of hydrogen gaseous storage and pipeline infrastructure, emphasizing health and safety protocols as well as capacity considerations pertinent to industrial applications. As hydrogen increasingly establishes itself as a vital energy vector within the transition towards low-carbon energy systems, the formulation of effective storage and transportation solutions becomes imperative. The investigation delves into the applications and technologies associated with hydrogen storage, specifically concentrating on compressed hydrogen gas storage, elucidating the principles underlying hydrogen compression and the diverse categories of hydrogen storage tanks, including pressure vessels specifically designed for gaseous hydrogen containment. Critical factors concerning hydrogen gas pipelines are scrutinized, accompanied by a review of appropriate compression apparatus, types of compressors, and particular pipeline specifications necessary for the transport of both hydrogen and oxygen generated by electrolysers. The significance of health and safety in hydrogen systems is underscored due to the flammable nature and high diffusivity of hydrogen. This paper defines the recommended health and safety protocols for hydrogen storage and pipeline operations, alongside exemplary practices for the effective implementation of these protocols across various storage and pipeline configurations. Moreover, it investigates the function of oxygen transport pipelines and the applications of oxygen produced from electrolysers, considering the interconnected safety standards governing hydrogen and oxygen infrastructure. The conclusions drawn from this study facilitate the advancement of secure and efficient hydrogen storage and pipeline systems, thereby furthering the overarching aim of scalable hydrogen energy deployment within both energy and industrial sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Economy in the Global Energy Transition)
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24 pages, 4949 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Assessment of a Hydrogen Farm Including Health and Safety and Capacity Needs
by Esmaeil Alssalehin, Paul Holborn and Pericles Pilidis
Energies 2024, 17(24), 6395; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246395 - 19 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 730
Abstract
The safety engineering design of hydrogen systems and infrastructure, worker education and training, regulatory compliance, and engagement with other stakeholders are significant to the viability and public acceptance of hydrogen farms. The only way to ensure these are accomplished is for the field [...] Read more.
The safety engineering design of hydrogen systems and infrastructure, worker education and training, regulatory compliance, and engagement with other stakeholders are significant to the viability and public acceptance of hydrogen farms. The only way to ensure these are accomplished is for the field of hydrogen safety engineering (HSE) to grow and mature. HSE is described as the application of engineering and scientific principles to protect the environment, property, and human life from the harmful effects of hydrogen-related mishaps and accidents. This paper describes a whole hydrogen farm that produces hydrogen from seawater by alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolysers, then details how the hydrogen gas will be used: some will be stored for use in a combined-cycle gas turbine, some will be transferred to a liquefaction plant, and the rest will be exported. Moreover, this paper describes the design framework and overview for ensuring hydrogen safety through these processes (production, transport, storage, and utilisation), which include legal requirements for hydrogen safety, safety management systems, and equipment for hydrogen safety. Hydrogen farms are large-scale facilities used to create, store, and distribute hydrogen, which is usually produced by electrolysis using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. Since hydrogen is a vital energy carrier for industries, transportation, and power generation, these farms are crucial in assisting the global shift to clean energy. A versatile fuel with zero emissions at the point of use, hydrogen is essential for reaching climate objectives and decarbonising industries that are difficult to electrify. Safety is essential in hydrogen farms because hydrogen is extremely flammable, odourless, invisible, and also has a small molecular size, meaning it is prone to leaks, which, if not handled appropriately, might cause fires or explosions. To ensure the safe and dependable functioning of hydrogen production and storage systems, stringent safety procedures are required to safeguard employees, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment from any mishaps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Economy in the Global Energy Transition)
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12 pages, 2290 KiB  
Article
On the Way to Utilizing Green Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier—A Case of Northern Sweden
by Jin Zhong and Math H. J. Bollen
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1514; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071514 - 22 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1283
Abstract
Low or even zero carbon dioxide emissions will be an essential requirement for energy supplies in the near future. Besides transport and electricity generation, industry is another large carbon emitter. Hydrogen produced by renewable energy provides a flexible way of utilizing that energy. [...] Read more.
Low or even zero carbon dioxide emissions will be an essential requirement for energy supplies in the near future. Besides transport and electricity generation, industry is another large carbon emitter. Hydrogen produced by renewable energy provides a flexible way of utilizing that energy. Hydrogen, as an energy carrier, could be stored in a large capacity compared to electricity. In Sweden, hydrogen will be used to replace coal for steel production. This paper discusses how the need for electricity to produce hydrogen will affect the electricity supply and power flow in the Swedish power grid, and whether it will result in increased emissions in other regions. Data of the Swedish system will be used to study the feasibility of implementing the hydrogen system from the power system viewpoint, and discuss the electricity price and emission issues caused by the hydrogen production in different scenarios. This paper concludes that the Swedish power grid is feasible for accommodating the additional electricity capacity requirement of producing green hydrogen for the steel industry. The obtained results could be references for decision makers, investors, and power system operators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Economy in the Global Energy Transition)
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