Decarbonizing Energy Systems: A Review of Green Hydrogen Generation Technologies and Their Socio-Economic Impacts

Abstract

As the global demand for clean energy intensifies, hydrogen has emerged as a promising energy carrier capable of addressing both environmental concerns and energy security. The transition to a hydrogen economy is gaining momentum worldwide, with green hydrogen production—particularly from biomass—being viewed as a sustainable and scalable solution. Biomass, an abundant, renewable, and carbon-neutral resource, offers significant potential for hydrogen production through thermochemical processes like gasification. Among the various methods, biomass briquettes serve as an efficient feedstock, contributing to improved energy density and reduced emissions. This paper reviews the stage-wise production of hydrogen from biomass, beginning with feedstock preparation and briquetting, followed by gasification, gas cleanup, and hydrogen separation. Gasification converts carbon-rich biomass into syngas, a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other gases. Advances in gasifier design, such as updraft and fixed-bed reactors, have enhanced gas quality while minimizing contaminants like tar and particulate matter. The subsequent gas purification and desulfurization processes are critical to improving hydrogen yield and equipment longevity. Warm gas cleanup (WGCU) technologies and advanced sorbents, including palladium-based materials, are being developed to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Hydrogen is then separated from purified syngas using techniques like membrane separation and pressure swing adsorption. This review highlights the economic and environmental benefits of biomass-derived hydrogen, especially for countries like India that face energy dependency and pollution challenges. Hydrogen can play a transformative role in industrial decarbonization, clean transportation, and renewable energy storage. Moreover, government initiatives such as India’s National Hydrogen Mission underline the growing policy support for green hydrogen development. The integration of biomass gasification into hydrogen production not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances energy security and supports sustainable rural development. Thus, green hydrogen production from biomass presents a viable path toward a low-carbon future.