Various Routes for Hydrogen Production and Its Utilization for Sustainable Economy

Hydrogen as a fuel source has the potential to give a long-term solution to the challenge of ensuring a constant supply of cleaner, environmentally acceptable fuel. Steam methane reforming (SMR) produces 80–85% of the hydrogen with a 74–85% energy efficiency. Steam methane reforming (SMR) and other fossil fuel-based technologies are neither green nor environmentally sustainable. If hydrogen (H2) is produced from renewable sources, then it could only be considered a clean and renewable fuel. Hydrogen can be produced by a number of processes, including thermocatalytic reformation of hydrogen-rich organic compounds, electrolysis of water, and biological processes. It is essential to develop renewable hydrogen production techniques, such as biohydrogen, in order for hydrogen to become a promising energy carrier. This chapter presents a critical analysis and comparison of various routes for hydrogen production that includes conventional and biological processes. Further, the present infrastructure for storage, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen gas has been discussed in detail. Lastly, we have also provided the future scope of hydrogen production technology and its utilization for achieving sustainable development goals.