Publications

The Indonesian government has established an energy transition policy for decarbonization including the target of utilizing hydrogen for power generation through a co-firing scheme. Several studies indicate that hydrogen co-firing in gas-fired power plants can reduce CO2 emissions while improving efficiency. This study develops a simulation model for hydrogen co-firing in an M701F gas turbine at the Cilegon power plant using Aspen HYSYS. The impact of different hydrogen volume fractions (5–30%) on thermal efficiency and CO2 emissions is analyzed under varying operational loads (100% 75% and 50%). The simulation results show an increase in thermal efficiency with each 5% increment in the hydrogen fraction averaging 0.32% at 100% load 0.34% at 75% load and 0.37% at 50% load. The hourly CO2 emission rate decreased by an average of 2.16% across all operational load variations for every 5% increase in the hydrogen fraction. Meanwhile the average reduction in CO2 emission intensity at the 100% 75% and 50% operational loads was 0.017 0.019 and 0.023 kg CO2/kWh respectively.

Raney Ni (R-Ni) electrodes are used as hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts in alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). However they are not durable because of reverse current-induced oxidation and catalyst damage from H2 bubbles. Reverse current triggers Ni phase changes and mechanical stress leading to catalyst delamination while bubbles block active sites increase resistance and cause structural damage. These issues have been addressed individually but not simultaneously. In this study a P-doped Ni (NiP) protective layer is electroplated on the R-Ni electrode to overcome both challenges. The NiP protective layer inhibits oxidation reducing Ni phase changes and preventing catalyst delamination. Enhanced surface wettability minimizes nucleation and facilitates faster bubble detachment reducing bubble-related damage. Electrochemical tests reveal that NiP/R-Ni exhibits a 26 mV lower overpotential than that of R-Ni at −400 mA cm−2 indicating higher catalytic activity. Accelerated degradation tests (ADTs) demonstrate the retention of the NiP/R-Ni catalyst layer with only a 25 mV increase in overpotential after ADT which is significantly less than that of R-Ni. Real-time impedance analysis reveals the presence of small rapidly detaching bubbles on NiP/R-Ni. Overall the NiP protective layer on R-Ni simultaneously mitigates both reverse current and H2 bubble-induced degradation improving catalytic activity and durability during AWE.

The transition to sustainable energy systems presents a critical challenge for the 21st century necessitating both technological advancements and transformative educational strategies to foster awareness and knowledge. Hydrogen technologies are pivotal for decarbonization yet public understanding and acceptance remain limited. This study introduces and evaluates a novel gamified educational framework uniquely integrating simulationbased learning collaborative problem-solving and adaptive instructional scaffolding to enhance hydrogen literacy and sustainability awareness. Unlike traditional pedagogical approaches this method actively engages learners in real-world decision-making scenarios bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications. This study involved adolescents aged 13–15 from two distinct educational and cultural contexts one in Europe and one in the Middle East. A pre–post study design assessed knowledge acquisition gamification engagement and environmental awareness shifts. Findings reveal statistically significant improvements in technical knowledge and strong positive perceptions of gamified learning as an effective sustainability education tool across both cultural groups (Europe and the Middle East). Variations in engagement across cultural contexts suggest the need for adaptive context-sensitive educational frameworks. While the findings indicate significant short-term knowledge gains this study does not assess long-term knowledge retention which remains an important area for future research. This research contributes to sustainability education by demonstrating how strategically designed gamification can foster behavioral engagement enhance environmental literacy and support the global energy transition agenda. This study offers a pioneering perspective on integrating interactive learning methodologies to cultivate sustainability competencies among younger generations.

South Africa has excellent conditions for renewable energy generation making it well placed to produce green hydrogen for both domestic use and export. In building a green hydrogen economy around export markets it will face competition from countries with equivalent or better resources and/or that are located closer to export markets (e.g. in North Africa and the Middle East) or have lower capital costs (developed markets like Australia and Canada). South Africa however has an extensive energy system with unserved electricity demand. The ability to trade electricity with the national grid (feeding into the grid during times of peak dedicated renewable energy supply and extracting from the grid during times of low dedicated renewable energy availability) could reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen by as much as 10–25 %. This paper explores the opportunity for South African green hydrogen producers presented by the electricity supply crisis that has been ongoing since 2007. It highlights the potential for a mutually reinforcing growth cycle between renewable energy and green hydrogen to be established which will contribute not only to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions but to the local economy and broader society.

The mixing of fuel and ambient in a compression-igniting combustion engine is a critical process affecting ignition delay burn duration and cycle efficiency. This study aims to visualize and quantify hydrogen mole fraction distributions resulting from high-pressure (10 MPa) hydrogen injections into an inert pressurized (1 MPa) nitrogen ambient at room temperature. Using inverse planar laser-induced fluorescence in which the ambient rather than the jet is seeded with a fluorescent tracer two different injectors (nozzle hole sizes of 0.55 and 0.65 mm) and two different tracers (toluene and acetone) are compared. It is concluded that a non-intensified CCD camera for fluorescence detection is superior to the use of an intensified one due to the linear behavior on contrast. The two injectors produce similar jets in terms of jet penetration and angle. Jet penetration derived from inverse-LIF measurements agree with Schlieren data on nominally the same jets but the hydrogen mole fractions are generally 2.5-5 percent lower than those obtained by planar Rayleigh scattering. Quasi-steadiness and self-similarity were found for ensemble-averaged mole fraction distributions of both injectors which aligns with theory and highlights the importance of using RANS simulations or time-averaged experiments for future comparisons.

This study explores the generation of natural hydrogen through the serpentinization of onshore ultramafic rocks highlighting its potential as a clean energy resource. By investigating critical factors such as mineral composition temperature and pressure the research develops an empirical model using multiple regression analysis to predict hydrogen generation rates under varying geological conditions. A novel five-stage volumetric calculation methodology is introduced to estimate hydrogen production from ultramafic rock bodies. The application of this framework to the Giles Complex an ultramafic-mafic intrusion in Australia suggests a hydrogen generation potential of approximately 2.24 × 1013 kg of hydrogen through partial serpentinization. This estimate is based on the assumed mineral composition depth and temperature conditions within the intrusion which influence the extent of serpentinization reactions. The findings demonstrate the significant potential of ultramafic complexes for natural hydrogen production and provide a foundation for advancing natural hydrogen exploration refining predictive models and supporting sustainable energy development.

Integrating microbial activity into underground hydrogen storage models is crucial for simulating longterm reservoir behavior. In this work we present a coupled framework that incorporates bio-geochemical reactions and compositional flow models within the Matlab Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST). Microbial growth and decay are modeled using a double Monod formulation with populations influenced by hydrogen and carbon dioxide availability. First a refined Equation of State (EoS) is employed to accurately capture hydrogen dissolution thereby improving phase behavior and modeling of microbial activity. The model is then discretized using a cell-centered finite-volume method with implicit Euler time discretization. A fully coupled fully implicit strategy is considered. Our implementation builds upon MRST’s compositional module by incorporating the Søreide–Whitson EoS microbial reaction kinetics and specific effects such as bio-clogging and molecular diffusion. Through a series of 1D 2D and 3D simulations we analyze the effects of microbialinduced bio-geochemical transformations on underground hydrogen storage in porous media.These results highlight that accounting for bio-geochemical effects can substantially impact hydrogen loss purity and overall storage performance.

This study evaluates the feasibility of employing rainwater as an alternative feedstock for hydrogen production via electrolysis. While conventional systems typically rely on high-purity water—such as deionized or distilled variants—these can be cost-prohibitive and environmentally intensive. Rainwater being naturally available and minimally treated presents a potential sustainable alternative. In this work a series of comparative experiments was conducted using a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer system operating with both deionized water and rainwater collected from different Austrian locations. The chemical composition of rainwater samples was assessed through inductively coupled plasma ion chromatography and visual rapid tests to identify impurities and ionic profiles. The electrolyzer’s performance was evaluated under equivalent operating conditions. Results indicate that rainwater in some cases yielded comparable or marginally superior efficiency compared to deionized water attributed to its inherent ionic content. The study also examines the operational risks linked to trace contaminants and explores possible strategies for their mitigation.

This report assesses the market readiness of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and the required infrastructure to meet the 45% emission reduction targets set by the revised CO2 standards by 2030. Achieving these goals requires the widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles and a robust recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure Three main aspects are investigated: the market readiness of the vehicles considering both the demand and supply side the corresponding infrastructure requirements and the barriers. Building on the inputs of the stakeholders a ‘study scenario’ is developed. This scenario shows a concrete picture of what the zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle fleet and its infrastructure requirement could look like by 2030. There are however key barriers that need to be overcome such as high total cost of ownership limited electricity grid capacity lengthy permitting processes and uncertainty in hydrogen availability and pricing. Stakeholders also emphasize the importance of policy drivers such as emissions trading systems and tolling and tax reforms to stimulate demand. In conclusion achieving the 2030 targets demands a coordinated approach involving manufacturers operators and policymakers to address infrastructure gaps market barriers and policy incentives ensuring the transition to a zero-emission HDV fleet.

Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage yet suitable geological formations are often scarce. Unlined rock caverns (URCs) constructed in crystalline rocks like granite present a novel alternative particularly in regions where salt caverns or porous media are unsuitable. Despite their potential URCs remain largely unexplored for hydrogen storage. This study addresses this gap by providing one of the first comprehensive investigations into the geochemical interactions between hydrogen and granite host rock using a combined experimental and numerical approach. Granite powder samples were exposed to hydrogen and inert gas (N₂) in brine at room temperature and 5 MPa pressure for 14 weeks. Results showed minimal reactivity of silicate minerals with hydrogen indicated by negligible differences in elemental concentrations between H₂ and N₂ atmospheres. A validated geochemical model demonstrated that existing thermodynamic databases can accurately predict silicate‑hydrogen interactions. Additionally a kinetic batch model was developed to simulate long-term hydrogen storage under commercial URC conditions at Haje. The model predicts a modest 0.65 % increase in mineral volume over 100 years due to mineral precipitation which decreases net porosity and potentially enhances hydrogen containment by limiting leakage pathways. These findings support the feasibility of granite URCs for UHS providing a stable long-term storage option in regions lacking traditional geological formations. By filling a critical knowledge gap this study advances scalable hydrogen storage solutions contributing to the development of resilient renewable energy infrastructure.

Hydrogen internal combustion engines are pivotal components of the power industry for achieving zero-carbon emissions. However the development of hydrogen engines is still in its infancy and experimental research on their injection strategies lacks systematization. In this study the individual impacts of hydrogen injection pressure (within low-pressure ranges) and injection timing as well as their coupling effects on combustion characteristics engine efficiency and exhaust emissions were experimentally investigated. Results show that under fixed timing an injection pressure of 25–27.5 bar yields the highest and earliest peak in-cylinder pressures whereas at 15 bar the ignition delay increases to 14.7°CA the flame development duration extends to 8.57°CA and the late combustion duration shortens to 41.37°CA; the exhaust gas temperature peaks at 628 K at 20 bar and NOX peaks at 537 ppm at 25 bar. BTE (brake thermal efficiency) exhibits a U-shaped relationship with pressure with the minimum efficiency occurring near 25 bar when timing is held constant; advancing start of injection from 130° BTDC to 170° BTDC reduces both NOX and exhaust gas temperature with the optimal fuel economy at 140° BTDC and a peak in-cylinder pressure that is approximately 7 % higher and occurs 2–3°CA earlier at 130–140° BTDC. In the pressure–timing maps IMEP (indicated mean effective pressure) is maximized at 30 bar and 90° BTDC; BTE reaches 33.5 % at 25 bar and 100° BTDC; NOX attains a minimum at 25 bar and 110° BTDC while the exhaust gas temperature is lowest at 25 bar and 120° BTDC. Injection pressure is the primary lever for regulating fuel economy and emissions while injection timing mainly adjusts combustion phasing and IMEP. The results provide clear guidance for calibrating low-pressure hydrogen injection systems supply benchmark data for model validation and support the development of practical control strategies for hydrogen engines.

With the global commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the number of hydrogen refueling stations is steadily increasing. On-site hydrogen production stations are expected to play a key role in future power systems by absorbing renewable energy and supplying electricity during peak grid loads aiding in peak shaving and load leveling. However renewable energy sources like photovoltaic (PV) systems have highly fluctuating power generation curves making it difficult to provide stable energy for hydrogen production. Traditional stations mainly use alkaline electrolyzers (AE) which are sensitive to power fluctuations leading to operational instability. To address this this paper proposes using capacitors and energy storage batteries to mitigate PV fluctuations and introduces a combined AE and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer hydrogen production method. Study cases demonstrate that capacitors and energy storage batteries reduce the variance of PV power output by approximately 0.02. Building on this the hybrid approach leverages the low cost of AE and the rapid response of PEM electrolyzers to better adapt to PV fluctuations and maximize PV absorption. The model is mathematically formulated and the station’s equipment planning and operational strategy are optimized using CPLEX. The results show that compared to pure AE and PEM hydrogen production the combined AE and PEM hydrogen production method reduces the total annual cost of the hydrogen refueling station by 4.3% and 5.9% respectively.

The UK net zero strategy aims to fully decarbonize the power system by 2035 anticipating a 40–60% increase in demand due to the growing electrification of the transport and heating sectors over the next thirteen years. This paper provides a detailed technical and economic analysis of the role of energy storage technologies and transmission lines in balancing the power system amidst large shares of intermittent renewable energy generation. The analysis is conducted using the cost-optimizing energy system modelling framework REMix developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The obtained results of multiple optimization scenarios indicate that achieving the lowest system cost with a 73% share of electricity generated by renewable energy sources is feasible only if planning rules in England and Wales are flexible enough to allow the construction of 53 GW of onshore wind capacity. This flexibility would enable the UK to become a net electricity exporter assuming an electricity trading market with neighbouring countries. Depending on the scenario 2.4–11.8 TWh of energy storage supplies an average of 11% of the electricity feed-in with underground hydrogen storage representing more than 80% of that total capacity. In terms of storage converter capacity the optimal mix ranges from 32 to 34 GW of lithium-ion batteries 13 to 22 GW of adiabatic compressed air energy storage 4 to 24 GW of underground hydrogen storage and 6 GW of pumped hydro. Decarbonizing the UK power system by 2035 is estimated to cost $37–56 billion USD with energy storage accounting for 38% of the total system cost. Transmission lines supply 10–17% of the total electricity feed-in demonstrating that when coupled with energy storage it is possible to reduce the installed capacity of conventional power plants by increasing the utilization of remote renewable generation assets and avoiding curtailment during peak generation times.

Introduction: The implementation of national hydrogen strategies targeting zero-emission goals has sparked public discussions regarding energy and environmental communication. However gaining societal acceptance for hydrogen technology poses a significant challenge in numerous countries. Hence this research investigates the framing of hydrogen technology through a comparative analysis of opinion-leading newspapers in Germany Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Methods: Utilizing a quantitative framing analysis based on Entman’s framing approach this research systematically identifies media frames and comprehend their development through specific frame characteristics. A factor analysis identified six distinct frames: Hydrogen as a Sustainable Energy Solution Benefits of Economic and Political Collaboration Technological and Scientific Challenges Governance Issues and Energy Security Industrial and Climate Solutions and Economic Risk. Results: The findings reveal that newspapers frames vary significantly due to contextual factors such as national hydrogen strategies media systems political ideologies article types and focusing events. Specifically German newspapers display diverse and balanced framing in line with its pluralistic media environment and national emphasis on green hydrogen and energy security while newspapers from MENA countries primarily highlight economic and geopolitical benefits aligned with their national strategies and state-controlled media environments. Additionally the political orientation of newspapers affects the diversity of frames particularly in Germany. Moreover non-opinion articles in Germany exhibit greater framing diversity compared to opinion pieces while in the MENA region the framing remains uniform regardless of article type due to centralized media governance. A notable shift in media framing in Germany was found after a significant geopolitical event which changed the frame from climate mitigation to energy security. Discussion: This study underscores the necessity for theoretical and methodological thoroughness in identifying frames as well as the considerable impact of contextual factors on the media representation of emerging sustainable technologies.

Hydrogen-based technologies prominently fuel cells are emerging as strategic solutions for decarbonization. They offer an efficient and clean alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation making a tangible contribution to the European Green Deal climate objectives. The primary issue is the production and transportation of hydrogen. An on-site hydrogen production system that includes CO2 capture could be a viable solution. The proposed power system integrates an internal combustion engine (ICE) with a steam methane reformer (SMR) equipped with a CO2 capture and energy storage system to produce “blue hydrogen”. The hydrogen fuels a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell. A battery pack incorporated into the system manages rapid fluctuations in electrical load ensuring stability and continuity of supply and enabling the fuel cell to operate at a fixed point under nominal conditions. This hybrid system utilizes natural gas as its primary source reducing climate-altering emissions and representing an efficient and sustainable solution. The simulation was conducted in two distinct environments: Thermoflex code for the integration of the engine reformer and CO2 capture system; and Matlab/Simulink for fuel cell and battery pack sizing and dynamic system behavior analysis in response to user-demanded load variations with particular attention to energy flow management within the simulated electrical grid. The main results show an overall efficiency of the power system of 39.9% with a 33.5% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional systems based solely on internal combustion engines.

This study investigates the effects of varying hydrogen percentages in fuel blends on combustion dynamics engine performance and emissions. Experimental data and analytical equations were used to evaluate combustion parameters such as equivalent lambda in-cylinder pressure heat release rate and ignition timing. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen blending enhances combustion stability shortens ignition delay and shifts peak heat release to be closer to the top dead center (TDC). These changes improve thermal efficiency and reduce cycle-to-cycle variation. Hydrogen blending also significantly lowers carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions particularly at higher blend levels (H0–H5) while lower blends increase nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and risk pre-ignition due to advanced start of combustion (SOC). Engine performance improved with an average hydrogen energy contribution of 12% under a constant load. However the optimal hydrogen blending range is crucial to balancing efficiency gains and emission reductions. These results underline the potential of hydrogen as a cleaner additive fuel and the importance of optimizing blend ratios to harness its benefits effectively.

Decarbonizing the steel industry will require a shift towards renewable energy. However costs and emissions associated with the long-distance transport of renewable energy carriers may incentivize the relocation of steel production closer to renewable energy sources. This “green relocation” would affect regional economic structures and global trade patterns. Nevertheless the macroeconomic and environmental impacts of alternative industry location options remain underexplored. This study compares the impacts on value-added prices and emissions under two options for decarbonizing the Dutch steel industry: importing green hydrogen from Brazil to produce green steel in the Netherlands versus relocating production to Brazil and transporting green steel to the Netherlands. Impacts are analyzed by combining a price and a quantity model within an environmentally extended multiregional input-output (EE-MRIO) framework. Results suggest that the relocation option brings the greatest synergies between climate and economic goals at the global level as it leads to lower production costs smaller price effects and greater emissions reductions. However relocation also results in stronger distributive impacts across global regions. Higher carbon prices would be insufficient to counteract relocation incentives. This calls for policymakers in industrialized countries to systematically consider the possibility of green relocation when designing decarbonization and industrial competitiveness strategies.

This study explores the design and feasibility of a novel fuel cell-powered wind farm for residential electricity hydrogen/oxygen production and cooling/heating via a compression chiller. Wind turbine energy powers Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and a compression chiller unit. The proposed system was modeled using EES thermodynamic software and its economic viability was assessed. A case study across seven Italian regions with varying wind potentials evaluated the system’s feasibility in diverse weather conditions. Multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) determined the number of wind turbines as optimum number of electrolyzers & fuel cell units. Optimization results indicated that 37 wind turbines 1 fuel cell unit and 2 electrolyzer units yielded an exergy efficiency of 27.98 % and a cost rate of 619.9 $/h. TOPSIS analysis suggested 32 wind turbines 2 electrolyzers and 2 reverse osmosis units as an alternative configuration. Further twelve different scenarios were examined to enhance the distribution of wind farmgenerated electricity among the grid electrolyzers and reverse osmosis systems. revealing that directing 25 % to reverse osmosis 20 % to electrolyzers and 55 % to grid sales was optimal. Performance analysis across seven Italian cities (Turin Bologna Florence Palermo Genoa Milan and Rome) identified Genoa Palermo and Bologna as the most suitable locations due to favorable wind conditions. Implementing the system in Genoa the optimal site could produce 28435 MWh of electricity annually prevent 5801 tons of CO2 emissions (equivalent to 139218 $). Moreover selling this clean electricity to the grid could meet the annual clean electricity needs of approximately 5770 people in Italy

The pyrolysis and oxidative steam reforming (P-OSR) of different types of plastics (HDPE PP PET and PS) has been carried out in a two reactor system provided with a conical spouted bed reactor (CSBR) and a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The effect plastic composition has on the oxidative steam reforming step has been analyzed using two space time values (3.1 gcatalyst min gplastic − 1 and 12.5 gcatalyst min gplastic − 1 ) at a reforming temperature of 700 ◦C S/P ratio of 3 and ER of 0.2 (optimum conditions for autothermal reforming). The different composition of the plastics leads to differences in the yields and compositions of pyrolysis products and consequently in the performance of the oxidative steam reforming step. High conversions (> 97 %) have been achieved by using a space time of 12.5 gcat min gplastic − 1 with H2 production increasing as follows: PET ≪ PS < HDPE ≤ PP. A maximum H2 production of 25.5 wt% has been obtained by using PP which is lower than that obtained in the process of pyrolysis and in line conventional steam reforming (P-SR) of the same feedstock (34.8 wt%). The lowest H2 production (10.5 wt%) has been achieved when PET was used due to the high oxygen content of this plastic. The results obtained in this study prove that P-OSR performs very well with different feedstock thereby confirming the versatility and efficiency of this process to produce a hydrogen-rich gas.

The mismatch in renewable energy generation potential levelized cost and demand across different geographies highlight the potential of a future global green energy economy through the trade of green fuels. This potential and need call for modeling frameworks to make informed decisions on energy investments operations and regulations. In this work we present a multi-objective optimization framework for modeling and optimizing energy transmission strategies considering different generation locations transportation modes and often conflicting objectives of cost environmental impact and transportation risk. An illustrative case study on supplying renewable energy to Germany demonstrates the utility of the framework across diverse options and trade-offs. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the optimal energy carrier and transmission strategy depend on distance demand and existing infrastructure that can be re-purposed. The framework is adaptable across geographies and scales to offer actionable insights to guide investment operational and regulatory decisions in renewable energy and hydrogen supply chains.

Water electrolysis for hydrogen production has garnered significant attention in the context of increasing global energy demands and the “dual-carbon” strategy. However practical implementation is hindered by challenges such as high overpotentials high catalysts costs and insufficient catalytic activity. In this study three mono and bimetallic metal−organic framework (MOFs)-derived electrocatalysts Fe-MOFs Fe/Co-MOFs and Fe/Mn-MOFs were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using nitroterephthalic acid (NO2-BDC) as the ligand and NN-dimethylacetamide (DMA) as the solvent. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the Fe/Mn-MOFs catalyst exhibited superior performance achieving an overpotential of 232.8 mV and a Tafel slope of 59.6 mV·dec−1 alongside the largest electrochemical active surface area (ECSA). In contrast Fe/Co-MOFs displayed moderate catalytic activity while Fe-MOFs exhibited the lowest efficiency. Stability tests revealed that Fe/Mn-MOFs retained 92.3% of its initial current density after 50 h of continuous operation highlighting its excellent durability for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These findings emphasize the enhanced catalytic performance of bimetallic MOFs compared to monometallic counterparts and provide valuable insights for the development of high-efficiency MOF-based electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.

This paper presents the design and implementation of an Intelligent Home Energy Management System in a smart home. The system is based on an economically decentralized hybrid concept that includes photovoltaic technology a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and a hydrogen refueling station which together provide a reliable secure and clean power supply for smart homes. The proposed design enables power transfer between Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Home-to-Vehicle (H2V) systems allowing electric vehicles to function as mobile energy storage devices at the grid level facilitating a more adaptable and autonomous network. Our approach employs Double Deep Q-networks for adaptive control and forecasting. A Multi-Agent System coordinates actions between home appliances energy storage systems electric vehicles and hydrogen power devices to ensure effective and cost-saving energy distribution for users of the smart grid. The design validation is carried out through MATLAB/Simulink-based simulations using meteorological data from Tunis. Ultimately the V2H/H2V system enhances the utilization reliability and cost-effectiveness of residential energy systems compared with other management systems and conventional networks.

This paper compares national hydrogen (H2) infrastructure plans in Canada the United States (the USA) Singapore and Sri Lanka four countries with varying geographic and economic outlooks but shared targets for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It examines how each country approaches hydrogen production pipeline infrastructure policy incentives and international collaboration. Canada focuses on large-scale hydrogen production utilizing natural resources and retrofitted natural gas pipelines supplemented by carbon capture technology. The USA promotes regional hydrogen hubs with federal investment and intersectoral collaboration. Singapore suggests an innovation-based import-dominant strategy featuring hydrogen-compatible infrastructure in a land-constrained region. Sri Lanka maintains an import-facilitated pilot-scale model facilitated by donor funding and foreign collaboration. This study identifies common challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement leakages and infrastructure scalability as well as fundamental differences based on local conditions. Based on these findings strategic frameworks are proposed including scalability adaptability partnership policy architecture digitalization and equity. The findings highlight the importance of localized hydrogen solutions supported by strong international cooperation and international partnerships.

Hydrogen energy one of the renewable energy sources plays a crucial role in combating climate change since its usage aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security. As the global energy trend moves toward cleaner alternatives countries start to adapt their energy strategies. In this transition hydrogen is one of the energy sources with the potential to increase long-term energy security. Developing countries face challenges such as high energy import dependency rising industrial demand and the need for infrastructure modernization making hydrogen valleys one of the viable solutions since they integrate hydrogen production storage distribution and utilization at one facility. However establishing small-scale hydrogen valleys requires a comprehensive decision-making strategy consisting of technical financial environmental social and political factors while addressing uncertainties in the system. To systematically manage the process this study proposes a Z-numberbased fuzzy cognitive mapping approach which models the interdependencies among success factors supported by Z-number Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory for structured prioritization with a multi-expert perspective. The results indicate that Financial Factors emerged as the most critical category with Government Incentives Infrastructure Investment Cost and Land Acquisition Cost ranking as the top three sub-success factors. Availability of Skilled Workforce and Regional Energy Supply followed in importance which demonstrates the importance of social and technical dimensions in the hydrogen valley development. These findings demonstrate the critical role of policy support infrastructure readiness and workforce availability in the design process. Sensitivity analyses are also conducted to present robustness of the given decisions for the analysis of the results. Based on the results and analyses possible implications based on the policy and practical dimensions are also discussed. By integrating fuzzy logic and Z-numbers the study aims to minimize loss of information enhances the analytical background for decision-making and provides a strategic roadmap for hydrogen valley development.

Against the backdrop of the global transition towards clean energy deep-sea wind-power hydrogen production integrates offshore wind with green hydrogen technology. Addressing the technical coupling complexity and the impact of uncertain hydrogen prices this paper develops a capacity optimization model. The model incorporates floating wind turbine output the technical distinctions between alkaline (ALK) electrolyzers and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and the synergy with energy storage. Under three hydrogen price scenarios the results demonstrate that as the price increases from 26 CNY/kg to 30 CNY/kg the optimal ALK capacity decreases from 2.92 MW to 0.29 MW while the PEM capacity increases from 3.51 MW to 5.51 MW. Correspondingly the system’s Net Present Value (NPV) exhibits an upward trend. To address the limitations of traditional methods in handling multi-dimensional benefit correlations and information ambiguity a comprehensive benefit evaluation framework encompassing economic technical environmental and social synergies was constructed. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the comprehensive benefit level falls within a relatively high-efficiency interval. The numerical characteristics an entropy value of 3.29 and a hyper-entropy of 0.85 demonstrate compact result distribution and robust stability validating the applicability and stability of the proposed offshore wind–hydrogen benefit assessment model.

Under the dual pressures of global climate change and energy structure transition the offshore wind–solar–current energy coupling hydrogen production (OCWPHP) system has emerged as a promising integrated energy solution. However its complex multi-energy structure and harsh marine environment introduce systemic risks that are challenging to assess comprehensively using traditional methods. To address this we develop a novel risk assessment framework based on hesitant fuzzy sets (HFS) establishing a multidimensional risk criteria system covering economic technical social political and environmental aspects. A hybrid weighting method integrating AHP entropy weighting and consensus adjustment is proposed to determine expert weights while minimizing risk information loss. Two aggregation operators—AHFOWA and AHFOWG—are applied to enhance uncertainty modeling. A case study of an OCWPHP project in the East China Sea is conducted with the overall risk level assessed as “Medium.” Comparative analysis with the classical Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT) method shows that our approach yields a risk value of 0.4764 closely aligning with the CPT result of 0.4745 thereby confirming the feasibility and credibility of the proposed framework. This study provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for early-stage risk assessment of OCWPHP projects.

This review provides a comprehensive examination of artificial intelligence methods applied to the design optimization and performance prediction of composite-based hydrogen storage vessels with a focus on composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Targeted at researchers engineers and industrial stakeholders in materials science mechanical engineering and renewable energy sectors the paper aims to bridge traditional mechanical modeling with evolving AI tools while emphasizing alignment with standardization and certification requirements to enhance safety efficiency and lifecycle integration in hydrogen infrastructure. The review begins by introducing HSV types their material compositions and key design challenges including high-pressure durability weight reduction hydrogen embrittlement leakage prevention and environmental sustainability. It then analyzes conventional approaches such as finite element analysis multiscale modeling and experimental testing which effectively address aspects like failure modes fracture strength liner damage dome thickness winding angle effects crash behavior crack propagation charging/discharging dynamics burst pressure durability reliability and fatigue life. On the other hand it has been shown that to optimize and predict the characteristics of hydrogen storage vessels it is necessary to combine the conventional methods with artificial intelligence methods as conventional methods often fall short in multi-objective optimization and rapid predictive analytics due to computational intensity and limitations in handling uncertainty or complex datasets. To overcome these gaps the paper evaluates hybrid frameworks that integrate traditional techniques with AI including machine learning deep learning artificial neural networks evolutionary algorithms and fuzzy logic. Recent studies demonstrate AI’s efficacy in failure prediction design optimization to mitigate structural risks structural health monitoring material property evaluation burst pressure forecasting crack detection composite lay-up arrangement weight minimization material distribution enhancement metal foam ratio optimization and optimal material selection. By synthesizing these advancements this work underscores AI’s potential to accelerate development reduce costs and improve HSV performance while advocating for physics-informed models robust datasets and regulatory alignment to facilitate industrial adoption.

Crude oil distillation is one of the most energy-intensive processes in petroleum refining consuming up to 20% of total refinery energy. Improving the energy efficiency of crude distillation units (CDUs) is essential for reducing costs lowering emissions and achieving sustainable refining. Current studies often examine energy savings operational flexibility or renewable energy integration separately. This review brings these aspects together focusing on heat integration advanced control systems and renewable energy options such as solar-assisted preheating and green hydrogen. Advanced column designs including dividing-wall and hybrid systems can cut energy use by 15–30% while AI-based optimization improves process stability and flexibility. Solar-assisted preheating can reduce fossil fuel demand by up to 20% and green hydrogen offers strong potential for decarbonization. Our findings highlight that integrated strategies including advanced simulation tools and machine learning significantly improve CDU performance. We recommend exploring hybrid algorithms renewable energy integration and sustainable technologies to address these challenges and achieve long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore is a promising route to reduce CO2 emissions in steelmaking where uniform particle flow inside shaft furnaces is essential for efficient operation. In this study a full-scale three-dimensional Discrete Element Method (DEM) model of a shaft furnace was developed to investigate the effects of a diverter device on granular flow. By systematically varying the radial width and top/bottom diameters of the diverter particle descent velocity residence time compressive force distribution and collision energy dissipation were analyzed. The results demonstrate that introducing a diverter effectively suppresses funnel flow prolongs residence time and improves radial flow uniformity. Among the tested configurations the smaller central diameter diverter showed the most favorable performance achieving a faster and more uniform descent reduced compressive force concentration and lower collision energy dissipation. These findings highlight the critical role of diverter design in regulating particle dynamics and provide theoretical guidance for optimizing shaft furnace structures to enhance the efficiency of hydrogen-based direct reduction processes.

The present work focused on the comparison between HHO and hydrogen electrolyzers in design gas production and various parameters which affect the performance and efficiency of alkaline electrolyzers. The primary goal is to generate the highest possible hydrogen and HHO gas flow rates. Hydrogen and HHO were produced using 3 mm electrode of stainless steel 316L with 224 cm2 surface area. Hydroxy and hydrogen rates were affected by electrolyte content cell connection electric current operating time electrolyte temperature and voltage. Maximum HHO generation values were 1020 1076 1125 and 1175 mL min−1 n at 5 10 15 and 20 g L−1 of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with supply currents of 15 15.3 15.6 and 16 A respectively. Once it stabilized after 30 min the temperature increased to 26 30 35 and 38 °C respectively and remained there. With currents of 18 18.45 18.7 19.2 19.5 and 19.8 A hydrogen output peak values after 60 min. stayed constant at 680 734 785 846 897 and 945 mL min-1. at 5 10 15 and 20 g L−1 NaOH catalyst concentrations. At 5 10 15 and 20 g L−1 catalyst ratios the temperatures were elevated to constant values of 28.5 32 37.9 40.5 41.4 and 43 °C respectively. With cell design [4C3A19N] electrolyte concentration of 5 g L−1 NaOH and current of 14 A maximum HHO productivity was 866 mL min−1. and 74.23% efficiency. In a cell design of [4C5A17N] with catalyst content of 10 g L−1 maximum productivity was 680 mL min−1 for hydrogen and highest production efficiency of 72.85% was attained at 18 A.

This article takes the perspective of Hydrogen Load Aggregator (HLA) to optimize the declaration strategy of peak shaving market improve the flexible regulation capability of power system and HLA economy as the research objectives and proposes an optimization strategy method for HLA to participate in peak shaving market. Firstly an improved Convolutional Neural Networks–Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) time series prediction model is developed to address peak shaving demand uncertainty. Secondly a bidding strategy model incorporating dynamic pricing is constructed by comprehensively considering electrolyzer regulation costs market supply–demand relationships and system constraints. Thirdly a market clearing model for peak shaving markets with HLA participation is designed through analysis of capacity contribution and marginal costs among different regulation resources. Finally the capacity allocation model is designed with the goal of minimizing the total cost of peak shaving among various stakeholders within HLA and the capacity won by HLA in the peak shaving market is reasonably allocated. Simulations conducted on a Python3.12-based experimental platform demonstrate the following: the improved CNN-LSTM model exhibits strong adaptability and robustness the bidding model effectively enhances HLA market competitiveness and the clearing model reduces system operator costs by 5.64%.

The transition to a sustainable energy future hinges on the development of reliable large-scale hydrogen storage solutions to balance the intermittency of renewable energy and decarbonize hard-to-abate industries. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in salt caverns emerged as a technically and economically viable strategy leveraging the unique geomechanical properties of salt formations—including low permeability self-healing capabilities and chemical inertness—to ensure safe and high-purity hydrogen storage under cyclic loading conditions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the advantages of salt cavern hydrogen storage such as rapid injection and extraction capabilities cost-effectiveness compared to other storage methods (e.g. hydrogen storage in depleted oil and gas reservoirs aquifers and aboveground tanks) and minimal environmental impact. It also addresses critical challenges including hydrogen embrittlement microbial activity and regulatory fragmentation. Through global case studies best operational practices for risk mitigation in real-world applications are highlighted such as adaptive solution mining techniques and microbial monitoring. Focusing on China’s regional potential this study evaluates the hydrogen storage feasibility of stratified salt areas such as Jiangsu Jintan Hubei Yunying and Henan Pingdingshan. By integrating technological innovation policy coordination and cross-sector collaboration salt cavern hydrogen storage is poised to play a pivotal role in realizing a resilient hydrogen economy bridging the gap between renewable energy production and industrial decarbonization.

Due to the environmental impact of fossil fuels renewable energy such as wind and solar energy is rapidly developed. In energy systems energy storage units are important which can regulate the safe and stable operation of the power system. However different energy storage methods have different environmental and economic impacts in renewable energy systems. This paper proposed three different energy storage methods for hybrid energy systems containing different renewable energy including wind solar bioenergy and hydropower meanwhile. Based on Homer Pro software this paper compared and analyzed the economic and environmental results of different methods in the energy system through the case of a residential community in Baotou City. The result showed that (1) the use of batteries as energy storage in communities posed the lowest energy costs whose NPC was $197396 and LCOE was $0.159 consisting of 20 batteries 19.3 kW PV 6 wind turbines a 12.6 kW converter. (2) Lower fuel cell prices mean lower NPC and the increase in the Electric Load Scaled Average implied a decrease in LCOE and the increase of the NPC. (3) The use of fuel cells also had impacts on the environment such as resulting CO2 and SO2.

This study develops a photovoltaic (PV)-based hydrogen production system specifically designed for university campuses which is expected to lead in sustainability efforts. The proposed system aims to meet the electricity demand of a Hydrogen Research Center while supplying energy to an electric charging station and a hydrogen refueling station for battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles operating within the campus. In this integrated system the electricity generation capacity of PV panels installed on the research center’s roof is determined and the surplus electricity after meeting the energy demand is allocated to cover the varying proportions needed for both electric charging station and hydrogen production system. The green hydrogen produced by the system is compressed to 100 350 and 700 bar with intermediate cooling stages where the heat generated at the compressor outlet is absorbed by a cooling fluid and repurposed in a condenser for domestic hot water production. A full thermodynamic analysis of this entirely renewable energy-powered system is conducted by considering a 9-hour daily operational period from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The average incoming solar radiation is determined to be 484.63 W/m2 resulting in an annual electricity generation capacity of 494.86 MWh. Based on the assumptions and data considered the energy and exergy efficiencies of the proposed system are calculated as 17.71 % and 17.01 % respectively with an annual hydrogen production capacity of 3.642 tons. Various parametric studies are performed for varying solar intensity values and PV surface areas to investigate how the overall system capacities and efficiencies are affected. The results show that an integration of hydrogen production systems with solar energy offers significant advantages including mitigating intermittency issues found in standalone renewable systems reducing carbon emissions compared to fossil-based alternatives and enhancing the flexibility of energy systems.

This study presents a techno-economic and environmental optimization of hydrogen-based hybrid energy systems (HESs) for Broken Hill City Council in New South Wales Australia. Two configurations are evaluated: Configuration 1 includes solar PV battery fuel cell electrolyzer and hydrogen storage while Configuration 2 includes solar PV fuel cell electrolyzer and hydrogen storage but excludes the battery. The system is optimized using advanced metaheuristic algorithms such as Harris Hawks Algorithm (HHA) Red-Tailed Hawk Algorithm and Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II while ensuring real-time supply–demand balance and system stability through a robust energy management strategy. This integrated approach simultaneously determines the optimal sizes of PV arrays battery storage (where applicable) fuel cells electrolyzers and hydrogen storage units and maintains reliable energy supply. Results show that HHA Configuration 1 achieves the lowest net present cost of $338111 a levelized cost of electricity of $0.185/kWh and a levelized cost of hydrogen of $4.60/kg. Sensitivity analysis reveals that PV module and hydrogen storage costs significantly impact system economics while improving fuel cell efficiency from 40% to 60% can reduce costs by up to 40%. Beyond cost-effectiveness life cycle analysis demonstrates annual CO2 emission reductions exceeding 500000 kg compared to an equivalent diesel generator system meeting the same load demand. Socio-economic assessments further indicate that the HES can support improvements in the Human Development Index by enhancing access to healthcare education and economic opportunities while also creating local jobs in PV installation battery maintenance and hydrogen infrastructure. These findings establish hydrogen-based HES as a scalable cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for energy access in remote areas.

Enhancing the economics of microgrid systems and achieving a balance between energy supply and demand are critical challenges in capacity allocation research. Existing studies often neglect the optimization of electrolyzer efficiency and multi-stack operation leading to inaccurate assessments of system benefits. This paper proposes a capacity allocation model for wind-PV-hydrogen integrated microgrid systems that incorporates hydrogen production efficiency optimization. This paper analyzes the relationship between the operating efficiency of the electrolyzer and the output power regulates power generation-load mismatches through a renewable energy optimization model and establishes a double-layer optimal configuration framework. The inner layer optimizes electrolyzer power allocation across periods to maximize operational efficiency while the outer layer determines configuration to maximize daily system revenue. Based on the data from a demonstration project in Jiangsu Province China a case study is conducted to verify that the proposed method can improve system benefits and reduce hydrogen production costs.

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) represent an intriguing alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). While the acceptance of BEVs has been widely discussed acceptance-based recommendations for promoting adoption of FCVs remain ambiguous. This paper aims to improve our understanding by reporting results from a pioneer study based on the standardized Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). The sample consists of n1 = 258 registered customers of H2mobility in Germany. For effect control another n2 = 294 participant sample was drawn from the baseline population. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 and importance-performance mapping (IPMA). Results demonstrate that FCV acceptance primarily relies on Perceived Usefulness Perceived Conditions and Normative Influence while surprisingly hypotheses involving Perceived Risk and Green Attitude are rejected. Finally a discussion reveals ways to increase the level of public acceptance. Three practical strategies emerge. For future acceptance analyses the authors suggest incorporating the young concept of ‘societal readiness’.

Vietnam recognizes hydrogen as a key fuel for decarbonization under its National Hydrogen Strategy. Here we quantified the environmental and economic performance of Vietnam’s optimal hydrogen-production pathways by evaluating combinations of green and blue hydrogen under varying demand scenarios using life-cycle assessment and optimization modeling techniques. The environmental performance of hydrogen production proved highly sensitive to the electricity source with water electrolysis powered by renewable energy offering the most favorable outcomes. Although green hydrogen production reduced carbon emissions it shifted environmental burdens toward increased resource extraction. Producing 20 Mt of hydrogen by 2050 would require 741.56 TWh of electricity 178 Mt of water and USD 294 billion in investment and it would emit 50.48 Mt CO2. These findings highlight the importance of strategic hydrogen planning and resource strategy aligned with national priorities for energy transition to navigate trade-offs among technology selection emissions costs and resource consumption.

This paper presents a method for gas turbine performance calculations with alternative fuels with a particular focus on their use in aircraft engines. The effects of various alternative aviation fuels on fuel consumption CO2 emissions and contrail formation are examined in a comparative study. We use the GasTurb performance software and calculate heat release and hot section gas properties using a chemical equilibrium solver. Fuels with complex compositions are included in the calculation via surrogates of a limited number of known species that mimic the relevant properties of the real fuel. An automated method is used for the fuel surrogate formulation. We compare the results of this rigorous approach with the simplified approach of calculating the heat release using an alternative fuel’s heating value while still using the gas properties of conventional Jet A-1. The results show that the latter approach systematically overpredicts fuel consumption by up to 0.2% for aromaticsfree synthetic kerosene (e.g. “biofuels”). Overall aircraft engines running on alternative fuels tend to be more fuel efficient due to their often higher hydrogen contents and thus fuel heating values. We find reductions in fuel consumption of up to 2.8% during cruise when using aromatics-free synthetic kerosene. We further assess how alternative fuels affect contrail formation based on the Schmidt-Appleman criterion. Contrails can form 200 m lower under cruise conditions when burning aromatics-free synthetic kerosene instead of Jet A-1 with identical thrust requirements and under the same atmospheric conditions mainly due to their higher hydrogen content. In summary we present a flexible yet easy-to-use method for studying fuel effects in performance calculations that avoids small but systematic errors by rigorously calculating the heat release and hot section gas properties for each fuel.

Solar-driven water electrolysis has emerged as a prominent technology for the production of green hydrogen facilitated by advancements in both water electrolyzers and solar cells. Nevertheless the majority of integrated solar-to-hydrogen systems still struggle to exceed 20% efficiency particularly in large-scale applications. This limitation arises from suboptimal coupling methodologies and system-level inefficiencies that have rarely been analyzed. To address these challenges this study investigates the fundamental principles of solar hydrogen production and examines key energy losses in photovoltaic-electrolyzer systems. Subsequently it systematically discusses optimization strategies across three dimensions: (1) enhancing photovoltaic (PV) system output under variable irradiance (2) tailoring electrocatalysts and electrolyzer architectures for high-performance operation and (3) minimizing coupling losses through voltage-matching technologies and energy storage devices. Finally we review existing large-scale solar hydrogen infrastructure and propose strategies to overcome barriers related to cost durability and scalability. By integrating material innovation with system engineering this work offers insights to advance solar-powered electrolysis toward industrial applications.

China’s dual-carbon goals have positioned hydrogen as a central pillar of its energy transition. This review examines the recent development of China’s hydrogen supply chain with particular focus on manufacturing technologies for alkaline electrolysers high-pressure cylinders and diaphragm compressors. In 2024 China produced 36.5 million tons of hydrogen of which 77 % was grey and only 1 % derived from electrolysis. Storage and transportation account for nearly 30 % of end-use costs while reliance on imported compressors increases refuelling station expenses by approximately 40 %. We identify key bottlenecks including limited electrolyser efficiency the high cost of carbon fibres for Type III/IV cylinders and insufficient domestic capacity for highreliability compressors. To address these challenges targeted advances are proposed: membrane materials with engineered hydrophilicity advanced surface modifications and hydrophilic inhibitors; liner design incorporating grooved-liner braided layers with double-fibre configurations; and a three-layer diaphragm compressor architecture. By consolidating fragmented studies this review provides the integrated manufacturing perspective on China’s hydrogen supply chain offering both scientific insights and practical guidance for accelerating costeffective large-scale low-carbon hydrogen deployment.

Offshore hydrogen production offers a promising solution for harnessing wind energy far from shore by using hydrogen as an energy carrier instead of electrical cables. Flexibility in hydrogen production systems is crucial to maximising the conversion of intermittent wind energy into hydrogen. To improve the performance of lowpressure compressed gas buffer stores hybrid gas-hydride tanks have been identified as a viable solution increasing useable storage density from 1.2 kg m− 3 to 6.3 kg m− 3 with just a 5 vol% addition of hydride. This study evaluates the reduction in tank volume reduction in cost and enhancements in useable storage density achieved by integrating different hydrides under varying temperature conditions. Using hydrogen mass flow rate profiles a storage mass target was determined for optimisation. The results demonstrate that hybrid gas-hydride tanks can reduce tank size by around 80 % lowering costs by 24 % and achieve a 5.1-fold improvement in useable storage density.

With the transition to a fully renewable energy grid arises the need for a green source of stability and baseload support which classical renewable generation such as wind and solar cannot offer due to their uncertain and highly-variable generation. In this paper we study whether green hydrogen can close this gap as a source of supplemental generation and storage. We design a two-stage mixed-integer stochastic optimization model that accounts for uncertainties in renewable generation. Our model considers the investment in renewable plants and hydrogen storage as well as the operational decisions for running the hydrogen storage systems. For the data considered we observe that a fully renewable network driven by green hydrogen has a greater potential to succeed when wind generation is high. In fact the main investment priorities revealed by the model are in wind generation and in liquid hydrogen storage. This long-term storage is more valuable for taking full advantage of hydrogen than shorter-term intraday hydrogen gas storage. In addition we note that the main driver for the potential and profitability of green hydrogen lies in the electricity demand and prices as opposed to those for gas. Our model and the investment solutions proposed are robust with respect to changes in the investment costs. All in all our results show that there is potential for green hydrogen as a source of baseload support in the transition to a fully renewable-powered energy grid.

Green hydrogen offers a promising yet underexplored pathway for agricultural decarbonisation requiring technological readiness and coordinated action from policymakers industry and farmers. This paper integrates techno-economic modelling with stakeholder engagement (semi-structured interviews and an expert workshop) to assess its potential. Analyses were conducted for farms of 123 hectares and clusters of 10 farms complemented by seven interviews and a workshop with nine sector experts. Findings show both opportunities and barriers. While on-farm hydrogen production is technically feasible it remains economically uncompetitive due to high levelised costs shaped by seasonal demand variability and low utilisation of electrolysers and storage. Pooling demand across multiple users is essential to improve cost-effectiveness. Stakeholders identified three potential business models: fertiliser production via ammonia synthesis cooperative-based models and local refuelling stations. Of these cooperative hydrogen hubs emerged as the most promising enabling clusters of farms to jointly invest in renewable-powered electrolysers storage and refuelling facilities thereby reducing costs extending participation to smaller farms and mitigating risks through collective investment. By linking techno-economic feasibility with stakeholder perspectives and business model considerations the results contribute to socio-technical transition theory by showing how technological institutional and social factors interact in shaping hydrogen adoption in agriculture. With appropriate policy support cooperative hubs could lower costs ease concerns over affordability and complexity and position hydrogen as a practical driver of agricultural decarbonisation and rural resilience. Keywords: green

The search for alternatives to fossil fuels has led to hydrogen becoming an important factor in the powering means of transportation. Its most effective application is in fuel cells. A single fuel cell is not a sufficient source of power which is why a stack of fuel cells is the more common solution. Fuel cells are tested using single units as this allows all cell parameters (the current density flow rates and efficiency) to be evaluated. Therefore the scalability of fuel cells is an essential factor. This paper analyses the scalability of fuel cells with a power of approximately 100 kW and 1.2 kW. Road tests of the fuel cells were compared with stationary tests which allowed the load to be reproduced and scaled. This provided a representation of the scaled current and the scalable power of the fuel cell. The research provided voltage–current characteristics of fuel cell stacks and their individual equivalents. It was concluded that regardless of the power scaling or current values the characteristics obtain similar patterns. A very important element of the research is the awareness of the properties of these cells (the number of cells and active charge exchange area) in order to compare the unit characteristics of fuel cells.

This study employs computational thermodynamics to evaluate the feasibility of replacing methane with hydrogen as both burner fuel and reductant during blister copper deoxidation aiming to enhance deoxidation efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. A comprehensive thermodynamic model was developed using FactSage 8.3 for dilute Cu–O and Cu–S–O melts containing trace impurities (Fe Ni Pb Zn) incorporating methane thermal decomposition and temperature-dependent variations in liquid copper density with oxygen and sulfur content. Model parameters were optimized against over 105 deoxidation simulation data points yielding temperature- and composition-dependent expressions for rapid density estimates. Benchmarking against existing literature models demonstrated improved accuracy. Key findings include: (1) increasing impurities contents from electronics waste recycling (Fe Ni Pb Zn) reduces oxygen activity deteriorating the deoxidation efficiency; (2) under global equilibrium methane provides greater reducing power per mole than hydrogen due to full thermal cracking but real-world mass transfer limitations render hydrogen more consistently effective up to 1200 C with methane gas needing to achieve at least 472 C to match hydrogen’s performance; (3) adiabatic flame equilibrium studies show that O2/H2 ratios of 0.5 to 1 yield liquid copper oxygen activities comparable to industrial O2/CH4 ratios of 2 to 3 supporting the direct substitution of methane with hydrogen in oxy-fuel anode furnace burners without compromising metal quality.

To reduce the amount of harmful gases produced by fossil fuels more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives are being proposed around the world. As a result technologies for manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells and producing green hydrogen are becoming more widespread with an impact on energy production and environmental protection. In many countries around the world and in Africa in particular leaders scientists and populations are considering switching from fossil fuels to so-called green energies. Hydrogen is therefore an interesting alternative that deserves to be explored especially since both rural and urban populations have shown an interest in using it in the near future which would reduce pollution and the proliferation of greenhouse gases thereby mitigating global warming. The aim of this paper is to determine the hybrid energy system best suited to addressing the energy problem in the study area and then to make successive substitutions of different energy sources starting with the most polluting in order to assess the possibilities for transitioning the energy used in the area to green hydrogen. To this end this study began with a technical and economic analysis which based on climatic parameters led to the proposal of a PV/DG-BATTery system configuration with a Net Present Cost (NPC) of USD 19267 and an average Cost Of Energy (COE) of USD 0.4 and with a high proportion of CO2 emissions compared with the PV/H2GEN-BATT and H2GEN systems. The results of replacing fossil fuel generators with hydrogen generators are beneficial in terms of environmental protection and lead to a reduction in energy-related expenses of around 2.1 times the cost of diesel and a reduction in mass of around 2.7 times the mass of diesel. The integration of H2GEN at high duty percentages increases the Cost Of Energy whether in a hybrid PV/H2GEN system or an H2GEN system. This shows the interest in the study country in using favorable duty proportions to make the use of hydrogen profitable.

For the transition to emission-free or low-emission energy hydrogen is a promising energy carrier and fuel of the future with the possibility of long-term storage. Due to its specific properties it poses certain safety risks; therefore it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen. This review article contains ten main chapters and provides by synthesizing current findings primarily from standards and scientific studies (predominantly from 2023 to 2024) the theoretical basis for further research directed toward safe hydrogen infrastructure.

From an environmental standpoint carbon-free energy carriers such as ammonia and hydrogen are essential for future energy systems. However their hightemperature chemical behavior remains insufficiently understood posing challenges for the development and optimization of advanced combustion technologies. Ammonia in particular is globally available and cost-effective especially for energy-intensive industries. The addition of ammonia or hydrogen to methane significantly reduces the accuracy of existing predictive models. Therefore validated and detailed data are urgently needed to enable reliable design and performance predictions. This review highlights the compatibility of ammonia with existing combustion infrastructure facilitating a smoother transition to more sustainable heating methods without the need for entirely new systems. Applications in high-temperature heating processes such as metal processing ceramics and glass production and power generation are of particular interest. This review focuses on the systematic assessment of alternative fuel mixtures comprising ammonia and hydrogen as well as natural gas with particular consideration of existing safety-related parameters and combustion characteristics. Fundamental quantities such as the laminar burning velocity are discussed in the context of their relevance for fuel mixtures and their scalability toward turbulent flame propagation which is of critical importance for industrial burner and reactor design. The influence of fuel composition on ignition limits is examined as these are essential parameters for safety margin definitions and operational boundary conditions. Furthermore flame stability in mixed-fuel systems is addressed to evaluate the practical feasibility and robustness of combustion under varying process conditions. A detailed overview of current diagnostic and analysis methods follows encompassing both pollutant measurement techniques and the detection of key radical species. These diagnostics form the experimental basis for reaction kinetics modeling and mechanism validation. Given the importance of emission formation in combustion systems a dedicated subsection summarizes major emission trends even though a comprehensive treatment would exceed the scope of this review. Thermal radiation effects which are highly relevant for heat transfer and system efficiency in large-scale applications are then reviewed. In parallel current developments in numerical simulation approaches for industrial-scale combustion systems are presented including aspects of model accuracy boundary conditions and computational efficiency. The review also incorporates insights from materials engineering particularly regarding high-temperature material performance corrosion resistance and compatibility with combustion products. Based on these interdisciplinary findings operational strategies for high-temperature furnaces are outlined and selected industrial reference systems are briefly presented. This integrated approach aims to support the design optimization and safe operation of next-generation combustion technologies utilizing carbon-free or low-carbon fuels.

As a pivotal clean energy carrier for achieving carbon neutrality green hydrogen technology has attracted growing global attention. This review systematically examines four mainstream water electrolysis technologies—alkaline electrolysis proton exchange membrane electrolysis solid oxide electrolysis and anion exchange membrane electrolysis—analyzing their fundamental principles material challenges and development trends. It further classifies and compares power electronic converter topologies including non-isolated and isolated DC–DC converters as well as AC–DC converter architectures and summarizes advanced control strategies such as dynamic power regulation and fault-tolerant operation aimed at enhancing system efficiency and stability. A holistic “electrolyzer–power converter–control strategy” integration framework is proposed to provide tailored technological solutions for diverse application scenarios. Finally the challenges and future prospects of green hydrogen across the energy transportation and industrial sectors are discussed underscoring its potential to accelerate the global transition toward a sustainable low-carbon energy system.