Hydrogen Production With Water Electrolysis Technologies: Advances, Performance, and Potential Use for Low‐Gradient Combustion

ABSTRACT This review analyses technological advances in water electrolysis between 2019 and 2026, focusing on developments relevant to industrial‐scale hydrogen production. The assessment covers proton exchange membrane, alkaline water electrolysis, anion‐exchange membrane, and solid oxide electrolysis cell technologies under realistic operating conditions, including high‐current density, elevated pressure, and dynamic coupling with renewable energy sources. A system‐level perspective is adopted, considering the combined effects of stack design, balance‐of‐plant optimization, manufacturing scale‐up, and digital control on efficiency, durability, and hydrogen production cost. Key advances include reduced critical‐material usage, higher current densities, improved modularity, and enhanced integration with renewable and industrial energy systems. The analysis is extended by linking hydrogen production with its end use in low‐gradient combustion systems, such as MILD, FLOX, and HiTAC. While these systems enable low‐emission heat generation, their environmental and economic performance depends strongly on upstream production pathways. Life‐cycle analysis indicates that renewable‐powered electrolysis offers the lowest emissions, whereas fossil‐based or grid‐dependent pathways reduce its climate benefit. Despite significant progress, challenges remain, including iridium scarcity, durability limitations, renewable integration issues, and manufacturing constraints at the gigawatt scale. Overall, the transition to fully integrated, scalable systems is identified as the key challenge for enabling cost‐effective, low‐carbon hydrogen production.