Abstract
The petroleum refining sector is one of the largest industrial users of hydrogen in the world. It mostly gets its hydrogen from steam methane reforming (SMR), which is a process that releases a lot of greenhouse gases. As climate policies around the world get stricter and businesses look for long-term ways to cut carbon emissions, green hydrogen made by water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources has become a promising option. This study examines the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of producing green hydrogen from renewable energy for refinery applications. A systematic review of contemporary literature was combined with a techno-economic assessment framework to evaluate renewable-powered electrolysis technologies and their integration into refinery operations. Findings indicate that green hydrogen can significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with hydroprocessing and desulfurisation units while supporting broader energy transition objectives. However, challenges remain regarding capital costs, renewable energy intermittency, electrolyser efficiency, and infrastructure requirements. The study concludes that despite current economic barriers, declining renewable electricity costs, technological advancements in electrolysis, and supportive policy frameworks are accelerating the viability of green hydrogen adoption in petroleum refineries. The transition from grey hydrogen to green hydrogen represents a critical strategy for achieving net-zero emissions within the refining sector.
Keywords: green hydrogen, renewable energy, electrolysis, petroleum refineries, decarbonisation, energy transition