Prospects of Hydrogen Energy in the Context of Sustainable Development

Hydrogen energy is the use of hydrogen as a fuel for various applications such as power generation, transportation, and industrial processes. Hydrogen is attractive because it is clean, as it only produces water when burned, making it a zero-emission fuel. However, the way hydrogen is produced determines its environmental footprint. As of 2025, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, which results in significant CO2 emissions. For sustainable development, it is important to focus on green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy such as solar or wind.

Types of Hydrogen

There are several types of hydrogen, each with different levels of environmental friendliness:

• Grey Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas via steam reforming, with high CO2 emissions of around 830 million tonnes of CO2 per year globally.
• Blue Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas with CO2 capture and storage, reducing emissions but still reliant on fossil fuels.
• Green Hydrogen: Produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, with minimal or no CO2 emissions.
• Pink hydrogen: Produced using nuclear energy, which can be low-carbon but is controversial over safety and waste.
• Brown Hydrogen: Produced from coal, has high CO2 emissions and is considered the least sustainable.

Green hydrogen is considered the most promising for sustainable development, but its current cost is higher than that of grey or blue hydrogen, which is around 3-8 euros per kilogram compared to 1-2 euros per kilogram for grey.

Current applications

As of 2025, hydrogen is primarily used in the chemical industry to produce ammonia and in oil refining to remove sulfur from fuel. Global production is about 75 million tons per year, of which 95% is gray hydrogen. Hydrogen is also used in niche applications such as fuel cells for cars (e.g. in Japan and South Korea) and in space programs, where it is used as a fuel for rockets.

Role in sustainable development

Research shows that hydrogen can play an important role in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving towards a low-carbon economy.

• Decarbonization of transport: Hydrogen fuel cells are suitable for heavy trucks, buses and long-haul routes where electrification is difficult. For example, fuel cells offer greater range and faster refueling compared to batteries, making them suitable for logistics and maritime transport.
• Industrial processes: Hydrogen can replace coal in steel production, reducing emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as steelmaking. It is also used in the production of methanol and other chemicals.
• Energy storage: Hydrogen can store excess renewable energy, helping to stabilize the electricity grid and integrate more variable sources such as wind and solar. This is especially important for balancing the grid during periods of low production.
• Power generation: Hydrogen is used in gas turbines or fuel cells to generate electricity with low or no emissions, supporting UN goals such as affordable and clean energy and climate action.

Current status and trends

Global hydrogen production is estimated at around 75 million tonnes per year by 2025, of which 95% is grey hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, emitting around 830 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Green hydrogen is still in its early stages, with a few commercial projects such as electrolysis plants in Europe and the US.

Many countries set ambitious goals:

• The European Union, through its hydrogen strategy, plans to produce 10 million tonnes and import a further 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030.
• Japan, through its Hydrogen Society Roadmap, aims to provide 3 million tons of hydrogen by 2030, focusing on fuel cells for transport and energy.
• The US is investing through the Department of Energy in research and development, with $7 billion in projects for regional hydrogen hubs.

Successful projects

Examples of successful projects include:

• Australian Renewable Energy Hub: Planned to become one of the largest renewable energy plants in Western Australia, producing green hydrogen for the domestic market and export.
• Hydrogen City Project: A hub for hydrogen production and use, focusing on integration with existing port infrastructures.
• Western Green Energy Hub: Another major project in Western Australia aimed at producing green hydrogen using wind and solar energy.
• US Hydrogen Program: Supports a variety of research, including prototypes such as the H2Rescue truck, which set a range record of 1,806 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Technological advances include improvements in the efficiency of electrolysis, with modern plants achieving 80% efficiency, and the development of new storage methods such as underground salt caverns.

Problems and chances

Problems

• Economics: Green hydrogen is more expensive than grey hydrogen, with current prices around $5 per kilogram, while grey costs $1-2. However, research shows that the cost could drop by 30% by 2030 due to cheaper renewable energy.
• Infrastructure: Lack of infrastructure for production, storage and distribution limits scaling. For example, development of pipelines and gas stations is required.
• Storage and transportation: Hydrogen has a low energy density, requiring specialized methods such as compression to 700 bar or cooling to -253°C, which increases costs.
• Safety: Hydrogen is highly flammable, requiring strict safety precautions, including special storage materials.
• Policy and regulatory support: Clear policies are needed to stimulate investment, such as subsidies and tax incentives, which still vary across countries.

Chances

• Decarbonisation: Hydrogen can help decarbonise sectors where other low-carbon alternatives are limited, such as heavy industry and maritime transport.
• Energy Security: Locally produced hydrogen reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports, improving energy independence.
• Job creation: The hydrogen industry could create new jobs, such as in electrolyser production and infrastructure construction, with projections of up to 680,000 jobs by 2050.
• Innovation: Advances in hydrogen technology are driving innovation such as improved fuel cells and integration with renewable sources.

To overcome the challenges, governments and industry must collaborate on research, provide financial support and establish regulatory frameworks such as certification of hydrogen’s environmental attributes.

Environmental impacts

Although hydrogen is considered clean when burned, its production determines its ecological footprint. Grey hydrogen has high CO2 emissions, while green hydrogen produced from renewable energy has a minimal footprint. However, there are concerns about hydrogen leaks, as it is an indirect greenhouse gas with a short-term but significant warming effect. Proper handling and storage are necessary to minimize the impact.

Future Prospects

Research suggests that hydrogen could meet 10% of global energy demand by 2050 in a zero-emissions scenario. The cost of green hydrogen is likely to fall by 30% by 2030, thanks to falling renewable energy costs and increased production.

New applications, such as hydrogen for aviation and maritime transport, offer further opportunities. For example, projects to use hydrogen in passenger aircraft are being explored. However, success depends on addressing current challenges, including scaling up production and ensuring sustainable use.

Comparison of hydrogen types

This table illustrates the differences in environmental footprint and cost, highlighting the need to transition to green hydrogen for sustainable development.