Recent advancements in the hydrogen value chain: Opportunities, challenges, and the way Forward–Middle East perspectives

This work highlights the recent advancements in the hydrogen value chain for the Middle East region by evaluating the feedstock, production technologies, storage options, delivery routes, and end-user applications. It discusses the national strategies for implementing the hydrogen value chain in the Middle East from 2020 to 2050. The challenges in the hydrogen value chain from techno-economic, safety, and social perspectives are also discussed in this study. Hydrogen production technologies are analyzed and compared. Steam-methane reforming has a high efficiency of 74% and a low hydrogen cost of $2.27/kg-H2, making it the most dominant technology for hydrogen production. Electrolysis has a lower efficiency of 60% and a higher hydrogen cost of $10.30/kg-H2, with more potential for further improvments.