Blue and green hydrogen energy to meet European Union decarbonisation objectives. An overview of perspectives and the current state of affairs

Given the importance of the energy system transition towards more sustainable models consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 7, this article is a narrative literature review regarding the production technologies and handling methods of blue and green hydrogen to meet the European Union decarbonisation objectives set by 2030. The European hydrogen use roadmap seems difficult to implement because, although technologies have matured, their large-scale application has been hindered by technical and infrastructure barriers. Green hydrogen is still hardly competitive with fossil fuels-based hydrogen production both for performance factors and for the availability of renewable energy, already needed for other uses in a decarbonised electricity market. Blue hydrogen production may pave the way to green hydrogen, but short-term implementation of these technologies is borderline. Adaptating and upgrading hydrogen storage and deployment, together with regulations for international trade, must be a priority. Finally, objectives and targeted strategies that are more realistic should be executed, with attention focused primarily on sectors that cannot take advantage of electrification, such as heavy industry and heavy-duty transport.