Powering tomorrow’s farms: A roadmap for hydrogen energy systems in off-grid rural agricultural decarbonization

Agriculture faces an urgent need for decarbonization, particularly in off-grid settings. Hydrogen Energy Systems (HES) represent a critical pathway, offering versatile solutions for electrification and displacing fossil fuels. This paper delivers a comprehensive roadmap assessing the techno-economic feasibility and practical implementation of HES for sustainable rural agricultural operations, with a strategic focus on energy-intensive water pumping. We critically evaluate fundamental HES configurations, compare their performance against established Renewable Energy Source (RES) solutions and incumbent diesel generators, and analyze integration challenges. Costs and implications of hydrogen transportation through trucks and pipelines are discussed. The role and importance of power electronics in interfacing existing RES and emerging HES are highlighted. Then, hydrogen fuel is explored in the mobilization of off-road agricultural vehicles. Lastly, this work proposes an intuitive system packaging strategy to significantly lower adoption barriers for farm operators, facilitating the transition towards hydrogen-powered sustainable agriculture. This roadmap provides vital insights for researchers, engineers, and policymakers seeking to unlock hydrogen’s potential in the agricultural sector.