Enabling industrial decarbonization: Framework for hydrogen integration in the industrial energy systems

For sustainable industrial growth, it is essential to reduce the energy intensity of production through technological advancements while ensuring cleaner energy sources are available to meet electricity and heat requirements. At the same time, hydrogen holds potential in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries as a clean fuel. This review aims to develop a comprehensive framework for integrating hydrogen energy to decarbonize industries effectively. It begins with an overview of energy storage technologies, followed by a discussion of hydrogen applications in the industry. A life-cycle assessment of green hydrogen highlights its environmental benefits. The review also provides a systematic analysis of energy system models, leading to the introduction of a framework for hydrogen integration in energy systems. The objective is to demonstrate how hydrogen, supported by renewable energy sources, can serve as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, particularly in carbon-intensive sectors. The proposed framework considers four aspects: understanding the current industrial process, evaluating hydrogen's applicability, building a mathematical model to simulate the integrated system, and analyzing the model's findings in terms of energy consumption, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. By following these steps, industries and policymakers can make informed decisions about integrating hydrogen for a more sustainable future, setting a precedent for similar economic sectors.