Technological pathway for sustainable energy generation through green hydrogen: a bibliometric and technical analysis oriented toward sustainability

This study aims to propose a technological pathway for sustainable energy generation through green hydrogen, oriented toward sustainability in the Colombian Caribbean, based on a bibliometric and technical analysis. Unlike previous studies that address hydrogen production and water treatment as separate domains, this work integrates regional water quality assessment, renewable energy potential, and electrolyzer selection into a territorially contextualized and modular framework adapted to local socio-environmental conditions. A systematic search conducted from 2015 to 2024 covered three thematic axes: (i) water electrolysis and electrolyzers, (ii) electrocoagulation-based water treatment, and (iii) physicochemical characterization of regional surface and groundwater. Results show that the electrochemical route dominates global research, with alkaline electrolyzers (AWE) highlighted for their technological maturity and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEM) systems for their efficiency and renewable integration. An exponential rise in publications since 2021 was identified, along with a growing Latin American contribution. Water characterization studies revealed high turbidity, conductivity, and nutrient loads, demonstrating the need for pretreatment. A modular and replicable route is proposed, including water collection; electrocoagulation with recycled aluminum electrodes for turbidity, color, and solids removal; disinfection; solar distillation to obtain water with conductivity < 2 μS/cm; PEM electrolysis powered by photovoltaic energy; and hydrogen storage for ecological cooking systems. The system leverages regional solar potential, as over 70% of the territory receives solar irradiation levels exceeding 5.20 kWh/m²/day. This pathway strengthens access to safe water and clean energy, reduces carbon emissions, and offers a viable roadmap for a just energy transition in the Colombian Caribbean.