Hydrogen Generation Gains Momentum as the Fuel of the Future
Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, with hydrogen generation technologies receiving unprecedented attention and investment. As a clean, versatile energy carrier, hydrogen can be produced from various sources, including natural gas, coal, biomass, and increasingly, renewable electricity.
Currently, most hydrogen is “grey hydrogen,” produced from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR), which emits significant amounts of CO₂. To tackle climate change, industries and governments are shifting focus toward green hydrogen, generated via electrolysis powered by renewable energy. This method produces zero carbon emissions, making it an attractive pathway for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, shipping, and aviation.
There are also intermediate forms—blue hydrogen, which couples traditional SMR with carbon capture and storage (CCS), and turquoise hydrogen, produced from methane pyrolysis with solid carbon byproducts. Each approach has unique benefits and challenges in terms of scalability, cost, and infrastructure.
One of the main hurdles for hydrogen generation is cost. Electrolyzers and renewable energy inputs remain expensive, but rapid innovation and falling renewable prices are narrowing the gap. Governments worldwide are funding hydrogen roadmaps, pilot projects, and international trade agreements to build a global hydrogen economy.