Q0045
A green hydrogen value chain needs renewable generation or a qualifying power contract, grid and substation capacity, water treatment, electrolysers, power electronics, purification, compression and storage. It then needs a route to market through pipelines, trucks, ships or conversion into ammonia, methanol or another carrier, plus receiving terminals and compatible end-use equipment. Safety systems, standards, certification and emergency response are infrastructure too.
The electrolyser is only one part of a hydrogen project. Missing water, grid capacity, storage, port facilities, pipelines, safety approvals or customer equipment can delay the entire chain and turn a competitive production estimate into an uneconomic delivered product.
The site needs a renewable supply arrangement, transmission or distribution connection, transformers, rectifiers and controls. It also needs a reliable water source, treatment to electrolyser quality and systems for cooling and wastewater management.
After electrolysis, hydrogen may require drying, purification and compression. Storage options include pressurised vessels, liquid hydrogen, underground formations where geology permits, or conversion to a carrier. Each option has different scale, energy, safety and site requirements.
Pipelines can suit large, steady flows between nearby industrial sites. Tube trailers can serve smaller or early markets. Long-distance trade may favour ammonia, methanol, liquid hydrogen or a liquid organic carrier, but conversion losses and the buyer's required product must be included.
Refineries and chemical plants may need process modifications and new storage. Transport uses need refuelling, vehicle or vessel compatibility and dependable fuel quality. Power applications require turbines or fuel cells, grid connection and a justified role that cannot be met more efficiently by direct electricity or batteries.
Industrial and port hubs can share pipelines, storage, terminals, laboratories, emergency services and certification systems. The IEA recommends focusing early infrastructure on industrial and port clusters with several potential users.
Projects need common technical standards, land-use rules, hazardous-area design, leak detection, ventilation, firefighting, trained operators, emergency coordination and a credible emissions certificate. Sarawak's hydrogen regulatory provisions took effect in March 2025, showing that governance is developing alongside physical projects.
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