Hydrogen Production from Marine Renewable Energy: A Review

Hydrogen energy, with its high calorific value and zero carbon emissions, serves as a crucial solution for addressing global energy and environmental challenges while achieving carbon neutrality. The ocean offers abundant renewable energy resources including offshore wind, solar, and marine energy, along with vast seawater reserves, making it an ideal platform for green hydrogen production. This review systematically examines recent research progress in several key marine hydrogen production approaches: seawater electrolysis through both desalination-coupled and direct methods, photocatalytic seawater splitting, biological hydrogen production via algae and bacteria, and hybrid renewable energy systems, each demonstrating varying levels of technological development and industrial readiness. Despite significant advancements, challenges remain, such as reduced electrolysis efficiency caused by seawater impurities, high costs of catalysts and corrosion-resistant materials, and the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Future improvements require innovations in catalyst design, membrane technology, and system integration to enhance efficiency, durability, and economic feasibility. The review concludes by outlining the technological development directions for marine hydrogen energy, highlighting how hydrogen production from marine renewable energy can facilitate a sustainable blue economy through large-scale renewable energy storage and utilization.