A review of hydrogen production and storage technologies for power system integration and applications
Ibrahim B. Mansir, Paul C. Okonkwo, Talal F. Qahtan
Abstract
The fast-changing trajectory of energy systems toward renewables requires flexible, low-emission technologies that can buffer supply intermittently and offer large-scale energy storage systems. Moreso, hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a multi-scale flexibility resource capable of supporting deep decarbonization in renewable-dominated power systems, yet existing reviews often treat production, storage, and conversion technologies in isolation. Hydrogen offers the ability to convert, store and reconvert energy on various timescales. This review critically analyses the current literature of hydrogen production and storage in relation to power systems integration, synthesizing technical, economic and operational advances. The study synthesizes recent advances in electrolysis, particularly PEM and high-temperature SOEC systems, together with emerging PEC routes, biomass-to-hydrogen processes, and long-duration storage technologies. It considers, for storage, the performance and maturity of compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, metal and complex hydrides, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and geological formations. Integration studies show that the value of hydrogen is enhanced as the share of renewables increases, providing seasonal storage, grid balancing, and sector coupling via power-to-hydrogen-to-power configurations. Yet technical, economic and other hurdles such as conversion losses, infrastructure requirements, and safety considerations are still holding back widespread implementation. The review also underlines the value of policy frameworks, such as country-level hydrogen strategies, carbon pricing, tax incentives, and harmonized safety standards to speed up adoption and reduce barriers to costs. The review synthesizes offer planners, operators, and policymakers a clear roadmap for aligning hydrogen deployment strategies with evolving technical requirements and high-renewable power-system conditions. By summarizing what is known and discussing opportunities for the future, this review is intended to be a roadmap towards maximizing hydrogen in reaching a flexible, resilient and carbon free power system.