The multi-faceted world of blue and green hydrogen types includes varying production routes, fuel cell applications, and a wider presence across many decarbonization technologies. IDTechEx's portfolio of Hydrogen Research Reports and Subscriptions covers methods to producing hydrogen, along with some of the main targeted applications including energy and transport.
The colours of hydrogen
Producing low-carbon hydrogen has the potential to be a huge step towards decarbonization, particularly in sectors that are responsible for some of the largest numbers of emissions, such as iron and steel, transportation, and chemical manufacturing. Most of the hydrogen produced today is described as grey or black hydrogen, as the processes are fossil fuel-based and emit CO2. This is where blue and green hydrogen come into play as new approaches to hydrogen production that can actively contribute to decarbonization across a number of sectors.
Blue hydrogen production, while still utilizing the same fossil fuels processes, sees the CO2 produced captured and stored using carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. It is described by IDTechEx in their report, "Blue Hydrogen Production and Markets 2026-2036: Technologies, Forecasts, Players", as a transition solution between grey and green hydrogen. The report outlines the reasons for blue hydrogen being a good solution to reduce the large emissions related to hydrogen production, including the abundance of natural gas, established infrastructure, the increasing demand for hydrogen, and the need for a more sustainable short-term solution. The scalability of blue hydrogen technologies is also worth noting, as they are commercially available and well-tested, meaning the economics are already well understood.
Green hydrogen remains the long-term goal for decarbonization, but large-scale deployment remains a challenge due to high electrolyzer manufacturing costs and limited renewable energy availability. Produced with electrolyzer technologies such as alkaline electrolyzers (AELs) and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMELs), green hydrogen is produced with renewable energy, emitting only oxygen as a byproduct, making it a long-term goal for many companies in cutting emissions. IDTechEx's report, "Materials for Green Hydrogen Production 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts", covers the materials and components used in water electrolyzer technologies, both incumbent and developing, for green hydrogen production, along with forecasts for their uptake and the main players operating within the sector.
Energy and transport hydrogen applications
Stationary fuel cells are a means of renewable, on-site energy generation that can be used for off-grid applications or provide backup power. They work by hydrogen reacting with oxygen to create electricity, producing only water as a byproduct, highlighting the significance of this technology in the movement towards wider decarbonization. There are six main types covered in IDTechEx's report, "Stationary Fuel Cell Markets 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Forecasts", which include proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as two of the main options for mobile and stationary applications respectively.
PEMFCs are used largely in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) due to their fast startup times and compactness that make them ideal to be implemented into vehicles. They can also be used for stationary backup power applications making them a versatile choice, working at around 50-60% electrical efficiency and operating with low temperatures. IDTechEx's report, "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2025-2045: Markets, Technologies, Forecasts", covers the main technologies around FCEVs, along with forecasts for their uptake over the next two decades. SOFCs, on the other hand, operate at much higher temperatures and therefore have longer startup times, and are better suited to continuous power uses such as for commercial and industrial applications.
Other than fuel cell cars, airplanes could also run on hydrogen in the future as aviation strives to become more sustainable in line with regulation. Hydrogen's gravimetric energy density makes it ideal for planes, though accommodating its volume requirements might prove to be challenging, with limited space available. IDTechEx's report, "Sustainable Future Aviation 2025-2045: Trends, Technologies, Forecasts", covers different approaches to using hydrogen for airplanes, and the feasibility of its implementation.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Hydrogen Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest research and developments across the hydrogen sector.
