Hydrogen for Industrial Decarbonization: Hype, Challenges, and Real-World Applications

Hydrogen has been promoted as a versatile clean energy vector capable of decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors. This paper critically reviews the technical, economic, and infrastructural factors that determine whether hydrogen can move from todays too much "hype" to a reality of fit-for-purpose energy solution for industry and the energy sector. We review production pathways (gray/blue/green hydrogen), electrolyser technologies, storage & transport challenges, and industrial use-cases (steel, chemicals, refineries, and high-temperature heat). Key findings: (1) green hydrogen currently remains significantly more expensive than fossil-derived hydrogen, though projections indicate cost declines with scale and deployment; (2) hydrogen is likely to be most viable where direct electrification is infeasible (high-temperature heat, feedstock); (3) infrastructure and implementation gaps are significant and require policy, supply-chain, and finance coordination. The paper concludes with fit-for-purpose deployment pathways and policy recommendations to enable industrial adoption.