An Overview of Hydrogen Production from Renewable Energy Source for Remote Area Application

Abstract

Hydrogen production through solar energy technology plays a very important role in the development of sustainable energy systems. Traditionally, a wide variety of methods are available for hydrogen production from conventional sources such as natural gas, coal and oil. Their application, however, contributes to emission of ozone depleting gases such as CO2. This paper reviews the recent developments of hydrogen production methods related to solar-hydrogen production for remote area application. The methods discussed are thermochemical, photoelectrochemical and electrochemical where water is the basic raw material. From this review, the low overall efficiency of photoelectrochemical and thermochemical processes make them non-attractive for remote areas application. This paper concludes that the most suitable method for hydrogen production for remote area application is electrochemical process where electrolyzer represents the most important process to obtain hydrogen without any emission of air pollutants or greenhouse gases. This paper will be useful for manufacturers, academicians and researchers who are involved and interested in solar hydrogen system.