Building a hydrogen economy is widely considered to be an essential part of global decarbonization. Green hydrogen could play an important role in mitigating environmental impacts and support the transition to a cleaner energy system. It can be produced from fossil fuel-free renewable electricity and does not release carbon dioxide when used. IDTechEx's portfolio of Hydrogen Research Reports is home to extensive research into the hydrogen sector, with news on the latest developments and market forecasts for its success over the next ten years.
Steel, long-haul trucks, and fuel cells for power generation
The scope for green hydrogen uses and applications is growing, with new opportunities arising as many companies seek to reduce carbon footprints and deploy technologies that are sustainable, renewable, and planet friendly. Steel production, long-haul transportation, and large-scale renewable energy storage are emerging sectors where green hydrogen could see significant uptake.
Responsible for 7-9% of global CO2 emissions, steelmakers face mounting pressure to transform as climate regulationstighten and market demands evolve. Green hydrogen could minimize the emissions released in steel production processes by acting as a reducing agent to produce direct reduced iron. Following processing in an electric arc furnace, the final steel product can be classified as green steel.
Fuel cells present another green hydrogen use case. Fuel cells generate electricity through the chemical reaction between hydrogen fuel and an oxygen source. Water and heat are produced as byproducts, with no harmful emissions being generated, making fuel cells a great option for decarbonization. Replacing heavy batteries in electric trucks and lorries that carry out long distance journeys is one possibility for hydrogen fuel cells. The decreased weight and shorter refuelling times when compared to battery charging are expected to increase the efficiency of the distances travelled, while the use of hydrogen fuel itself could provide longer ranges.
Fuel cells are not only promising within the transportation sector. They are increasingly making a name for themselves by unlocking large-scale renewable energy usage in the form of stationary hydrogen fuel cells. For industrial power, data centers, commercial operations, and other stationary applications that require continuous power generation, IDTechEx identified solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as being the most favored. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), another popular fuel cell choice within the market, are more likely to be utilized for mobile applications, such as transportation, or also for replacing diesel generators in back-up power generation. IDTechEx's report, "Stationary Fuel Cell Markets 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Forecasts", explores the market in greater detail.
A closer look into green hydrogen production
Electrolyzer technologies are a growing sector, with different types having various advantages and drawbacks. Their different materials and components, including electrolyte or membrane types, are responsible for their distinctions, with extensive analysis available in IDTechEx's "Materials for Green Hydrogen Production 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts" report. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMEL), for example, can provide industry-leading current densities and compact system designs, incurring smaller footprints as a result.
For commercial installations, alkaline water electrolyzers (AELs) are the most matured technology in the market due to their reliability and cost-effectiveness. PEMELs also hold a significant market share owning to their high efficiency and operational flexibility. However, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are currently one of the most efficient electrolyzer technologies, as a result of thermodynamic capabilities and leveraging high operating temperatures. Other types including anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEMEL) are currently being developed to have greater performance, and are explored in greater detail in IDTechEx's report, "Green Hydrogen Production & Electrolyzer Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Forecasts".
For more information on the green hydrogen market and the growing hydrogen sector, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Hydrogen Research Reports.
