Hydrogen Materials and Technologies in the Aspect of Utilization in the Polish Energy Sector

Currently, modern hydrogen technologies, due to their low or zero emissions, constitute one of the key elements of energy transformation and sustainable development. The growing interest in hydrogen is driven by the European climate policy aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels for energy purposes. Although not all opinions regarding the technical and economic potential of hydrogen energy are positive, many prepared forecasts and analyses show its prospective importance in several areas of the economy. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of modern materials, current hydrogen technologies and strategies, and show the opportunities, problems, and challenges Poland faces in the context of necessary energy transformation. The work describes the latest trends in the production, transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen. The environmental, social, and economic aspects of the use of green hydrogen were discussed in addition to the challenges and expectations for the future in the field of hydrogen technologies. The main goals of the development of the hydrogen economy in Poland and the directions of actions necessary to achieve them were also presented. It was found that the existence of the EU CO2 emissions allowance trading system has a significant impact on the costs of hydrogen production. Furthermore, the production of green hydrogen will become economically justified as the costs of energy obtained from renewable sources decrease and the costs of electrolysers decline. However, the realisation of this vision depends on the progress of scientific research and technical innovations that will reduce the costs of hydrogen production. Government support mechanisms for the development of hydrogen infrastructure and technologies will also be of key importance.