Why countries are betting big on hydrogen fuel: production, costs, and clean energy applications

Hydrogen is gaining traction as a clean fuel for the global energy transition. Countries are investing in hydrogen because it can be produced from water or natural gas and used in fuel cells to generate electricity with only water as a byproduct. The article explains the different production methods, including green hydrogen from renewables and blue hydrogen from fossil fuels with carbon capture, and how these compare on cost and emissions. Hydrogen has potential in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like heavy transport, steelmaking, and industrial heat. It can also store excess renewable energy for later use. However, the cost of green hydrogen remains high compared to natural gas, and infrastructure for storage and distribution is still limited. The article outlines where hydrogen makes sense and where it faces economic and practical hurdles. For anyone tracking clean energy policy or project finance, this piece provides a solid overview of hydrogen's role and the gaps that need to close for it to scale. It is worth reading for the breakdown of costs and applications rather than just the hype.