Open Access

Alexander Leuthold, Julia C. Terrapon-Pfaff, Peter Viebahn

• The global transition to a low-carbon economy relies on the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and industrial feedstock. Despite numerous project announcements worldwide, actual implementation remains limited. Accordingly, it is necessary to systematically analyse the critical factors influencing the practical deployment of green hydrogen projects. To this end, the paper conducts a systematic literature review examining the factors that determine green hydrogen project implementation success, analyzing 153 academic publications and key reports from IRENA and IEA. The systematic literature review identifies that the implementation of green hydrogen projects hinges on a complex interplay of techno-economic,The global transition to a low-carbon economy relies on the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and industrial feedstock. Despite numerous project announcements worldwide, actual implementation remains limited. Accordingly, it is necessary to systematically analyse the critical factors influencing the practical deployment of green hydrogen projects. To this end, the paper conducts a systematic literature review examining the factors that determine green hydrogen project implementation success, analyzing 153 academic publications and key reports from IRENA and IEA. The systematic literature review identifies that the implementation of green hydrogen projects hinges on a complex interplay of techno-economic, site-specific resource, economic, and socio-political factors. Notably, there are significant global disparities, which are particularly evident for developing and least developed economies, often relying on international financing, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships. These disparities are also reflected in the academic landscape, where research predominantly focuses on advanced economies and major emerging markets.…