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Green Hydrogen Energy Production

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 2210

Special Issue Editor

School of Safety Science and Engineering (School of Emergency Management), Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
Interests: safety of hydrogen energy; gaseous explosion; multiphase detonation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green hydrogen energy production represents a transformative step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future regarding energy use. The significance of green hydrogen lies in its potential to decarbonize various industries, from transportation to power generation. Unlike fossil fuel-derived hydrogen, green hydrogen offers a clean and renewable alternative. It can be stored and transported efficiently, enabling its use as a backup energy source or as a fuel for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The production of green hydrogen also contributes to the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. As more renewable energy sources are deployed to generate electricity for electrolysis, the overall dependency on fossil fuels decreases. This transition not only reduces carbon emissions but also promotes energy security and resilience.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to the theory, design, modeling, application, policy, and security in the aspect of green hydrogen energy production. Topics of interest for publication include the following:

  • Electrolysis technologies;
  • Renewable energy integration;
  • Development of novel electrode materials and catalysts;
  • Engineering challenges in reactor design, process optimization, and system integration;
  • Safe and efficient storage and transportation;
  • Environmental impact and sustainability;
  • Policies and economics;
  • Industrial applications;
  • Security in green hydrogen energy production.

Dr. Bin Li
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.

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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

  • green hydrogen energy
  • electrolysis technologies
  • renewable energy integration
  • system integration
  • materials and catalysts
  • storage and transportation
  • environmental impact
  • industrial applications
  • security

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4332 KiB  
Article
A Multi-State Rotational Control Strategy for Hydrogen Production Systems Based on Hybrid Electrolyzers
by Qingshan Tan, Ke Li, Longquan Zeng, Lu Xie, Man Cheng and Wei He
Energies 2025, 18(8), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18082008 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 398
Abstract
Harnessing surplus wind and solar energy for water electrolysis boosts the efficiency of renewable energy utilization and supports the development of a low-carbon energy framework. However, the intermittent and unpredictable nature of wind and solar power generation poses significant challenges to the dynamic [...] Read more.
Harnessing surplus wind and solar energy for water electrolysis boosts the efficiency of renewable energy utilization and supports the development of a low-carbon energy framework. However, the intermittent and unpredictable nature of wind and solar power generation poses significant challenges to the dynamic stability and hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This study introduces a multi-state rotational control strategy for a hybrid electrolyzer system designed to produce hydrogen. Through a detailed examination of the interplay between electrolyzer power and efficiency—along with operational factors such as load range and startup/shutdown times—six distinct operational states are categorized under three modes. Taking into account the differing dynamic response characteristics of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMEL) and alkaline electrolyzers (AEL), a power-matching mechanism is developed to optimize the performance of these two electrolyzer types under varied and complex conditions. This mechanism facilitates coordinated scheduling and seamless transitions between operational states within the hybrid system. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the traditional sequential startup and shutdown approach, the proposed strategy increases hydrogen production by 10.73% for the same input power. Moreover, it reduces the standard deviation and coefficient of variation in operating duration under rated conditions by 27.71 min and 47.04, respectively, thereby enhancing both hydrogen production efficiency and the dynamic operational stability of the electrolyzer cluster. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Hydrogen Energy Production)
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20 pages, 2754 KiB  
Article
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Supercritical Gas Turbine Energy System Fueled by Methanol and Upgraded Biogas
by Hossein Madi, Claude Biever, Chiara Berretta, Yashar S. Hajimolana and Tilman Schildhauer
Energies 2025, 18(7), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071651 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 386
Abstract
The HERMES project investigates the utilization of surplus wind and solar energy to produce renewable fuels such as hydrogen, methane, and methanol for seasonal storage, thereby supporting carbon neutrality and the energy transition. This initiative aims to create a closed-loop, zero-emission energy system [...] Read more.
The HERMES project investigates the utilization of surplus wind and solar energy to produce renewable fuels such as hydrogen, methane, and methanol for seasonal storage, thereby supporting carbon neutrality and the energy transition. This initiative aims to create a closed-loop, zero-emission energy system with efficiencies of up to 65%, employing a low-pressure (≤30 bar) synthesis process—specifically, sorption-enhanced methanol synthesis—integrated into the power system. Excess renewable electricity is harnessed for chemical synthesis, beginning with electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which is then converted into methanol using CO2 sourced from a biogas plant. This methanol, biomethane, or a hybrid fuel blend powers a supercritical gas turbine, providing a flexible and reliable energy supply. Optimization analysis indicates that a combined wind and photovoltaic system can meet 62% of electricity demand, while the proposed storage system can handle over 90%. Remarkably, liquid methanol storage requires a compact 313 m3 tank, significantly smaller than storage requirements for hydrogen or methane in gas form. The project entails a total investment of 105 M EUR and annual operation and maintenance costs of 3.1 M EUR, with the levelized cost of electricity expected to decrease by 43% in the short term and 69% in the long term as future investment costs decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Hydrogen Energy Production)
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21 pages, 1279 KiB  
Article
Stakeholder and Techno-Economic Assessment of Iceland’s Green Hydrogen Economy
by Nargessadat Emami, Reza Fazeli, Til Seth Tzschockel, Kevin Joseph Dillman and Jukka Heinonen
Energies 2025, 18(6), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061325 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 693
Abstract
Green hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors and supporting renewable energy integration, aligning with carbon neutrality goals like the European Green Deal. Iceland’s abundant renewable energy and decarbonized electricity system position it as a strong candidate for [...] Read more.
Green hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors and supporting renewable energy integration, aligning with carbon neutrality goals like the European Green Deal. Iceland’s abundant renewable energy and decarbonized electricity system position it as a strong candidate for green hydrogen production. Despite early initiatives, its hydrogen economy has yet to significantly expand. This study evaluated Iceland’s hydrogen development through stakeholder interviews and a techno-economic analysis of alkaline and PEM electrolyzers. Stakeholders were driven by decarbonization goals, economic opportunities, and energy security but faced technological, economic, and governance challenges. Recommendations include building stakeholder confidence, financial incentives, and creating hydrogen-based chemicals to boost demand. Currently, alkaline electrolyzers are more cost-effective (EUR 1.5–2.8/kg) than PEMs (EUR 2.1–3.6/kg), though the future costs for both could drop below EUR 1.5/kg. Iceland’s low electricity costs and high electrolyzer capacity provide a competitive edge. However, this advantage may shrink as solar and wind costs decline globally, particularly in regions like Australia. This work’s findings emphasize the need for strategic planning to sustain competitiveness and offer transferable insights for other regions introducing hydrogen into ecosystems lacking infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Hydrogen Energy Production)
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Review

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35 pages, 8291 KiB  
Review
Review of the Diffusion Process, Explosion Mechanism, and Detection Technology of Hydrogen and Ammonia
by Zilong Zhang, Zhaotong Zhang, Yuqi Zhou, Yujie Ouyang, Jiangtao Sun, Jing Zhang, Bin Li, Dan Zhang, Yongxu Wang, Jian Yao, Huadao Xing and Lifeng Xie
Energies 2025, 18(10), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18102526 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 302
Abstract
Increasing the proportion of clean energy within the energy structure is a crucial strategy for achieving energy transformation. Hydrogen and ammonia, as leaders in clean energy technologies, have garnered significant global attention. The combination of hydrogen and ammonia has emerged as a novel [...] Read more.
Increasing the proportion of clean energy within the energy structure is a crucial strategy for achieving energy transformation. Hydrogen and ammonia, as leaders in clean energy technologies, have garnered significant global attention. The combination of hydrogen and ammonia has emerged as a novel form of energy storage, transportation, and conversion; however, the safety aspects of their application process warrant closer attention. Research on hydrogen safety has been conducted extensively, with particular focus on the leakage, diffusion, combustion, and explosion processes. Both theoretical research and engineering applications have advanced significantly. In particular, hydrogen detection technology, primarily based on electrical measurement, has matured considerably, while schlieren imaging-based flow field visualization technology is progressing steadily. In contrast, safety research concerning ammonia remains in its early stages. Research on the leakage and diffusion characteristics of ammonia predominantly focuses on liquid ammonia, with a strong emphasis on engineering applications. Studies on the combustion and explosion characteristics of ammonia primarily address flame parameters and the combustion development laws. Ammonia serves as an efficient hydrogen storage medium. The conversion process involving hydrogen and ammonia will occur simultaneously in both time and space. Current research has not adequately addressed the safety concerns associated with the application process of hydrogen–ammonia mixtures. Future research on the safety of hydrogen–ammonia application processes should focus on the diffusion characteristics and combustion and explosion behaviors, as well as the development of electrical measurement detection technologies and optical flow field visualization techniques for hydrogen–ammonia mixtures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Hydrogen Energy Production)
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