Hydrogen technologies have experienced cycles of excessive expectations followed by disillusion. Nonetheless, a growing
body of evidence suggests these technologies form an attractive option for the deep decarb
onisation of global energy
systems, and that recent improvements in their cost and performance point towards economic viability as well. This paper
is a comprehensive review of the potential role that hydrogen could play in the provision of electricity, h
eat, industry,
transport and energy storage in a low
-
carbon energy system, and an assessment of the status of hydrogen in being able to
fulfil that potential. The picture that emerges is one of qualified promise: hydrogen is well established in certain nic
hes such
as forklift trucks, while mainstream applications are now forthcoming. Hydrogen vehicles are available commercially in
several countries, and 225,000 fuel cell home heating systems have been sold. This represents a step change from the
situation
of only five years ago. This review shows that challenges around cost and performance remain, and considerable
improvements are still required for hydrogen to become truly competitive. But such competitiveness in the medium
-
term
future no longer seems an
unrealistic prospect, which fully justifies the growing interest and policy support for these
technologies around the world.