A Critical Review of Green Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis: From Technology and Modeling to Performance and Cost
Rafika Louli, Stéfan Giurgea, Issam Salhi, Salah Laghrouche, Abdesslem Djerdir
Abstract
As the world shifts toward a low-carbon future, green hydrogen has emerged as a critical pillar of the energy transition. It is produced using renewable energy to power water electrolysis, and it is a clean and flexible alternative to hydrogen made from fossil fuels. However it is still hard to roll out on a large scale because of technological limits, high costs, and the need for infrastructure. This review critically analyzes current electrolysis methods, including established systems like alkaline and PEM electrolyzers, as well as newly developed concepts such as AEMWE and SOWE. It discusses how they can be used in renewable energy systems, important techno-economic and durability problems, system modeling, and grid interaction. This work clarifies both the technological potential and the practical limitations of green-hydrogen electrolyzer systems while highlighting key directions for future research and implementation.