Advancements in Green Hydrogen Production: A Comprehensive Review of System Integration, Power Grid Applications, and Cost Optimization

Abstract

Hydrogen is acquiring a promising recognition as a new trend in energy storage technologies due to its advantageous features including fast response, high energy density, and unconstrained storage capacity. Thus, it offers an effective solution for addressing the stability challenges posed by the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into power systems. Accordingly, this article presents a comprehensive review of advancements in green hydrogen production (GHP), with a focus on water electrolyzers (WELs) and their integration into power systems. Specifically, it examines WEL types, operational characteristics, and the role of DC converters in system connectivity and efficient power flow. Furthermore, various control strategies to optimize converter performance are thoroughly analyzed, along with WEL applications in frequency and voltage regulation, congestion management, and black start operations. Moreover, recent efforts to minimize hydrogen production costs through optimal system configurations and resource management are reviewed. It’s worth indicating that alkaline WELs have the lowest capital cost, qualifying them as a cost-effective option for large-scale hydrogen production. Therefore, this article seeks to aid researchers and stakeholders by providing an insightful overview of the present status of WEL emergence in modern energy systems, highlighting key technological advancements, challenges, and prospects.