Renewable hydrogen for the energy transition in Australia - Current trends, challenges and future directions

Hydrogen is viewed as a potential energy solution for the 21st century, with capabilities to tackle issues relating to environmental emissions, sustainability, energy shortages and security. Even though there are potential benefits of renewable hydrogen towards transitioning to net-zero emissions, there is a limited study on the current use, ongoing development and future directions of renewable hydrogen in Australia. Thus, this study conducts a systematic review of studies for exploring Australia's renewable hydrogen energy transition, current trends, strategies, developments and future directions. By using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, earlier studies from 2005 to 2024 from two major databases such as ProQuest and Web of Science are gathered and analyzed. The study highlights significant issues relating to hydrogen energy technologies and opportunities/challenges in production, storage, distribution, utilization, and environmental impacts. The study found that Australia's ambition for a strong hydrogen economy is made apparent with its clear strategic actions to develop a clean technology-based hydrogen production, storage and distribution system. This study provides several practical insights on Australia's hydrogen energy transition, hydrogen energy technologies, investments and innovation as well as strategies/recommendations for achieving a more environment friendly, secure, affordable and sustainable energy future. • A systematic review of research studies published between 2005 and 2024 are gathered and analyzed. • There are potential benefits of renewable hydrogen towards transitioning to net-zero emissions. • There is a limited study on the current use, ongoing development and future directions of renewable hydrogen in Australia. • Australia has clear strategic actions for hydrogen production, storage and distribution system. • Future expectations for renewable hydrogen to be guided by national, regional and local government policies and strategies.