Data-Driven Bibliometric Analysis of Hydrogen Refueling Station Research: A Network-Based Investigation of Technical Evolution and Future Trends (2016-2024)

The global transition toward sustainable energy systems necessitates a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen refueling station (HRS) technology development. This study employs a data-driven bibliometric approach to systematically investigate the evolution of HRS technology within the global energy landscape. Through an integrated analysis framework encompassing techno-economic feasibility, safety risk assessment, and policy evaluation, the research identifies critical challenges and opportunities in hydrogen infrastructure development. The research methodology utilizes advanced bibliometric tools, specifically VOSviewer and CiteSpace, to analyze 355 peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science database spanning January 2016 to October 2024. This systematic analysis reveals distinct research clusters and collaboration patterns, providing insights into publication trends, author networks, and influential journal sources. The keyword clustering and co-authorship analysis illuminate both theoretical foundations and practical implications for hydrogen infrastructure optimization. Notably, the findings highlight significant research gaps, particularly in developing region-specific deployment strategies, conducting comprehensive life-cycle assessments, understanding public acceptance dynamics, and integrating emerging AI and IoT technologies for smart hydrogen system management. These insights provide valuable guidance for stakeholders to enhance hydrogen infrastructure development and accelerate sustainable energy transformation.