Hydrogen has enormous decarbonization potential in the transportation sector. Heavy vehicles, maritime transport, aviation and railways are exploring hydrogen as a decarbonization solution. Hydrogen is important as a future mobility and transportation solution because global regulations for emissions reduction are becoming increasingly stringent. The European Green Deal aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, affecting the mobility industry. Hydrogen will play a crucial role in achieving climate goals, especially in public transport and mobility. A rigorous statistical study of global hydrogen production capacities becomes essential in the context of the enormous decarbonization potential that hydrogen holds for transportation. The study analyzes the evolution of global annual hydrogen production capacity for mobility from 2009 to 2022. Until 2015, the main technology used was alkaline water electrolysis, while in 2016, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technology became dominant. Alkaline water electrolysis technology has a 22% higher production capacity compared to PEM technology. It has been observed that Asia has the largest operational hydrogen production capacity at 43.3%, followed by Europe at 26.8%, the USA at 26.2%, Africa at 3.5% and Australia at 0.3%. The countries with the highest operational hydrogen production capacity for mobility are China at 41.7%, the USA at 25.7% and Germany at 7.4%.
The study involved the analysis of data related to hydrogen production systems for use in mobility, conducted over an extended period from 2011 to 2022. It represents a detailed look at the evolution of this vital technology for the future of global sustainable mobility. Hydrogen production has seen significant development in recent years, driven by increasing awareness of the adverse impact of GHG emissions on the environment and the need for cleaner and more efficient solutions for transportation. In the study, we analyzed the evolution of hydrogen production capacity in each country, also tracking its development over time. Additionally, we investigated continental-level capacity, providing a comprehensive overview of progress and global potential in hydrogen production.
Green hydrogen represents a promising solution for decarbonizing the transportation industry. Its production using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Green hydrogen can be used in fuel cell vehicles to power zero-emission cars and transportation, contributing to the fight against climate change and the creation of a sustainable future for our mobility. The analysis highlighted that the development of hydrogen production capacities is highly dynamic. During the period from 2009 to 2015, the hydrogen production for mobility was approximately 1,570 cubic meters per hour (m3 H2/h). However, what becomes evident from the analysis is the impressive growth in hydrogen production capacity in this area. Between 2016 and 2020, production capacity increased significantly, reaching approximately 6,240 m3 H2/h, which represents roughly a fourfold increase compared to the previous period.
A crucial factor that has spurred this growth is the increasing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and other pollutants from the transportation industry. The potential of hydrogen production systems has been recognized as a viable alternative due to their capacity to generate environmentally friendly hydrogen, commonly referred to as green hydrogen, through the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Over recent years, researchers have made significant advancements in the field of hydrogen generation, specifically in the areas of water electrolysis and natural gas reforming. These approaches have played a crucial role in improving the efficiency of both green and gray hydrogen production. Green hydrogen is considered one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources because the carbon emissions associated with its production are minimal or even nonexistent.
