Technologies and energy strategies for the production and utilization of green hydrogen in the industrial sector

Green hydrogen has become one of the most important enablers for reaching the global targets for decarbonization as it provides a sustainable and versatile energy vector for industrial uses. This thesis aims at discussing the technologies and the approaches that can be used for production, storage, and utilization of green hydrogen with the emphasis on its application in the industrial context. The findings of this work, which include experimental research, advanced material synthesis, and Life Cycle Assessment, help identify the issues and potential of green hydrogen technologies. In this study, two different methods for hydrogen production were evaluated: hydrogen production through water electrolysis and hydrogen production using dark fermentation of organic matter. The present work showed that dark fermentation represents an interesting choice for the effective conversion of organic waste into hydrogen when the process is properly managed. Key operational parameters influencing hydrogen yield were identified, and the inhibitory effects of certain compounds were analyzed. For PV-powered electrolysis, the integration of renewable energy demonstrated significant decarbonization potential, but faced challenges related to intermittency and high initial investments. The environmental impact of these energy systems was assessed using Life Cycle Assessment with a cradle-to-grave approach. The analysis revealed that the PV-powered electrolysis has a lower carbon footprint compared to dark fermentation but at the same time it emphasized the economic and technological accessibility of dark fermentation, making it an attractive option for localized hydrogen production combined with waste management. Hydrogen storage, a critical bottleneck in the hydrogen economy, was addressed through the development and characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Novel derivatives of UiO-66 were synthesized and tested, storage performances were also tuned through post-synthetic modifications and other techniques like metal encapsulation. Finally, the characteristics of the materials were established by advanced characterization techniques, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and X-ray Diffraction The work supplements production and storage technologies by reviewing hydrogen applications in fuel cells. SOFC and PEM fuel cells were investigated for hydrogen purity tolerance. SOFCs were found to be tolerant of hydrogen of relatively low purity, such as hydrogen obtained from dark fermentation, due to their high operating temperatures, while PEM fuel cells required high-purity hydrogen to prevent catalyst poisoning and loss of efficiency. The findings presented in this thesis offer strategies for advancing green hydrogen technologies, addressing both technical and environmental dimensions. Future research should prioritize scaling experimental setups for real-world conditions, optimizing hybrid production approaches, and expanding LCA studies. Additionally, policy frameworks and financial incentives will be essential to drive the widespread adoption of green hydrogen and its integration into sustainable energy.