Green hydrogen: the energy source of the future

Hydrogen is abundantly available and is obtained from renewable energy as an energy storage medium. Each kilogram of hydrogen contains approximately 2.4 times more energy than natural gas and produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. From a theoretical perspective using literature research in the Scopus, SciELO and Google Academic databases, this article sought to analyze the potential for application and use of green hydrogen as an energy source for the future. It was found that hydrogen produced in an environmentally correct way permits a significant reduction of CO2 emissions, especially in industry and transport, where energy efficiency and direct use of electricity by renewable energy are not sufficient. It is concluded that countries with considerable share of renewables in the energy "portfolio" have a cost advantage in green hydrogen production, and countries with large solar and wind power generation capacity and pipeline infrastructure are able to develop an affordable green hydrogen infrastructure.