Production of hydrogen energy from biomass: Prospects and challenges
Nebechi Kate Obiora, Chika Oliver Ujah, Christian O. Asadu, Funsho Olaitan Kolawole, Benjamin Nnamdi Ekwueme
Abstract
The acceleration of the energy transition away from traditional energy systems depends on the inclusion of H2 in energy plans. Using biomass to produce hydrogen energy holds significant promise in the field of renewable energy. This article explores the history of biomass as a sustainable energy source and highlights the important role of hydrogen energy. Various biomass hydrogen conversion technologies, including thermochemical, biological, electrochemical, and hybrid processes, are discussed and compared to other renewable energy sources. Given hydrogen energy inclusion into the energy mix, comparisons are made between methods of biomass-to-hydrogen conversion in terms of cost per kg of H2, power consumption in kWh as well as feedstocks utilized for hydrogen production, and their strengths and weaknesses. Case study applications of these conversion methodologies are highlighted and their strengths as well as limitations are addressed in the course of discussion. This article provides an in-depth look at the prospects and challenges of biomass hydrogen production, providing a review of the research literature, insights into efficiency improvements, level of advancement technology, and catalyst development. The role of catalysts, machine learning, and artificial intelligence along with other factors for improving hydrogen production were discussed. Challenges such as food supply, techno-economic constraints, environmental impact, and energy consumption have all been examined. The article concludes by highlighting current applications, prospects, and the overall importance of biomass hydrogen in transportation, business processes, and policy changes.