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Abstract
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Hydrogen is acknowledged as a crucial component in achieving a low-carbon,
sustainable energy future due to its diverse applications in industrial operations,
transportation, and residential energy. This article meticulously examines the
manufacturing pathways for hydrogen, categorized as green, blue, grey, and turquoise
based on feedstocks, production methods, and associated carbon emissions. The
paper analyzes fundamental production methods, encompassing electrochemical
techniques such as water electrolysis and thermal methods like steam methane
reforming and gasification. It also considers novel thermochemical, photochemical, and
biological processes. The potential of pyrolysis and hydrogen-from-waste methods to
utilize waste streams and offer benefits for the circular economy is also examined. This
article evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of each method by
synthesizing the latest findings from extensive research, concentrating on production
expenses, energy efficiency, and lifecycle carbon emissions. Global case studies
demonstrate the effective application of hydrogen across several contexts, including
residential fuel cell installations for combined heat and power, industrial cogeneration
systems, and urban transportation initiatives utilizing fuel cell buses. These real-world
instances underscore practical issues in infrastructure and cost management while
demonstrating hydrogen's potential to transform several industries. Recent
advancements such as solid oxide electrolysis and artificial photosynthesis offer
potential for enhancing the economy and efficiency of hydrogen production. The paper
concludes with strategic proposals for governments, corporate leaders, and
academics, advocating for international collaboration, policy endorsement, and
investments in technological advancement. This paper offers stakeholders a strategic
framework to expedite the hydrogen economy and promote global sustainable energy
objectives by examining various hydr
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