Breakthroughs in Hydrogen and Storage Technologies for a Resilient Grid

The transition to global energy systems necessitates advanced storage solutions that facilitate large-scale integration of renewables and enhance system resilience. Hydrogen and cutting-edge storage technologies have become pivotal in the decarbonization efforts of power systems, industry, and transportation. This review offers a multidisciplinary evaluation of recent progress in green hydrogen production, storage of hydrogen in solid, liquid, and gaseous states, and applications of fuel cells. It also examines advancements in electrochemical storage, including solid-state batteries, flow batteries, metal–air concepts, and hybrid hydrogen–battery systems. A comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature from 2018 to 2024 assesses the maturity, scalability, sustainability impacts, and policy support of these technologies across different global regions. The review identifies gaps in infrastructure readiness, challenges in hybrid system integration, inadequate lifecycle assessment methods, and uneven socio-environmental outcomes. It underscores significant differences in policy and investment signals: advanced economies provide more stable frameworks, whereas many developing regions encounter structural barriers that hinder deployment. Based on these insights, the study proposes a strategic framework across five areas: alignment of technologies with infrastructure, integrated system design, effective market and policy tools, circular lifecycle pathways, and inclusive governance. This framework connects scientific innovation with regulatory decisions and social impact, promoting the coordinated deployment of hydrogen and advanced storage technologies as crucial enablers of resilient, equitable, and zero-carbon energy systems.