Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a key enabler of global decarbonization, offering immense potential to transform refining, heavy transport, and hard-to-abate industrial sectors. Hydrogen serves as a vital clean energy carrier for industries where electrification is impractical. ADI Analytics supports clients across the hydrogen value chain—from oil majors and technology startups to investors—by providing the strategic, technical, and commercial insights necessary to navigate this evolving economy.

Global hydrogen market. Hydrogen transportation via airplane or trucks

Advancing production pathways and decarbonization

Low-carbon pathways to produce hydrogen include green hydrogen from electrolysis, blue hydrogen via steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas paired with carbon capture, pink nitrogen (from nuclear energy), turquoise hydrogen (from methane pyrolysis), and gold hydrogen (naturally occurring hydrogen) – all at various stages of commercialization. Each of these technologies will be essential to achieving net-zero goals in steel, shipping, aviation, and ammonia and chemical production.

Overcoming policy and infrastructure hurdles

The hydrogen landscape is rapidly shifting due to significant policy support, such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act’s 45V tax credits and the DOE’s H2Hubs program. However, scaling requires overcoming high electrolyzer costs, limited storage infrastructure, and complex emissions accounting standards.

Achieving scale and commercial viability

Success in the hydrogen sector depends on maturing technologies and strategic alignment across the value chain. With falling renewable power prices and evolving regulatory frameworks, hydrogen is poised for rapid growth, requiring robust off-take agreements and cross-industry partnerships to ensure long-term profitability. However, this growth must be consistent across the entire ecosystem. 

For instance, for green hydrogen to scale, the availability of critical materials—from raw materials like precious metals (platinum, iridium), transition metals (titanium, nickel, chromium), argon, and graphite to processed materials such as PEEK, thermoplastics, and elastomers—must scale accordingly. Furthermore, the supply of core components like the electrolyte membrane, gas diffusion layer, bipolar plates, end plates, and seals must keep pace, supported by a comprehensive end-of-life management strategy to ensure a sustainable and scalable hydrogen economy.

How ADI helps

ADI Analytics works with clients across the hydrogen value chain—including oil majors, refiners, midstream operators, chemical producers, industrial equipment manufacturers, technology start-ups, end-users, and investors—to support decision-making across strategy, technology, and commercialization:

  • Market intelligence & forecasting including scenario planning to evaluate the pace and scope of hydrogen adoption, regional supply-demand modeling, cost benchmarking, and opportunity assessments across blue, green, and other hydrogen pathways.
  • Project evaluation & asset strategy covering techno-economic modeling of production, storage, and distribution assets, site screening and feasibility studies, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis for hydrogen-based transportation and industrial applications.
  • Technology & policy analysis involving competitive benchmarking of hydrogen production pathways, maturity assessments of storage and fueling technologies, and analysis of policy incentives and regulatory standards such as 45V qualification criteria.
  • Investment support & commercial due diligence such as evaluation of hydrogen-focused companies, infrastructure assets, and technology providers for investment, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
  • Strategic planning & commercialization strategy including go-to-market planning for early-stage companies, industrial equipment demand analysis, partnership development, and roadmaps for end-use adoption and long-term growth.

Industry experience

CNG and hydrogen fuel market analysis

ADI Analytics assessed the market and growth potential of compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen as transportation fuels in North and Latin America for a leading compressor manufacturer. The client A leading compressor manufacturer exploring growth opportunities in the CNG and hydrogen transport fuel markets. The situation The client sought to understand trends, market needs, […]

Competitive positioning of a hydrogen tech company

ADI Analytics supported a competitive assessment of a hydrogen technology company by identifying key players, validating strategic hypotheses, and conducting primary research across the hydrogen and electrolysis landscape. The client A diversified holding company evaluating the competitive positioning of one of its portfolio companies in hydrogen generation and electrolysis. The situation The client wanted to […]

Clean coal hydrogen cost optimization

ADI developed granular process and cost models across coal gasification pathways to understand where hydrogen production costs could be reduced. The work examined gasifier selection, syngas cleanup, CO₂ capture, and integration with power generation to quantify trade‑offs across configurations. Scenarios were ranked to identify pathways suitable for further demonstration rather than incremental optimization. The client […]

Compact hydrogen generator commercialization strategy

This engagement assessed the commercial viability of a compact hydrogen generator (CHG) by benchmarking it against incumbent large-scale SMR and cryogenic liquid hydrogen supply chains. ADI analyzed the trade-offs between capital recovery and sourcing diversity for refiners to address rising hydroprocessing capacity needs. The client Energy technology R&D organization The situation Uncertainty regarding how small-scale […]

Global energy transition digital spend outlook

ADI assessed a global energy transition capital spend and outlook through 2050, identifying the addressable market for digital technologies. The study analyzed how the shift toward fragmented, low-carbon infrastructure will impact the need for digital integration across intermittent renewables and energy storage systems. Modeling surfaced critical factors that will dictate the pace of digital adoption. […]

Global hydrogen demand assessment

ADI leveraged proprietary demand models to project hydrogen consumption across heavy-duty trucking and bus segments in North America, East Asia, and Europe. The study evaluated pump-price parity across regions and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on green hydrogen adoption over a 10-year period. The client Clean technology provider The situation Ambiguity regarding […]

Global PEM electrolyzer and GDL market assessment

ADI evaluated the market for carbon paper gas diffusion layers (GDL) within the rapidly expanding PEM electrolyzer supply chain. The research assessed the technical transition from titanium porous transport layers and modeled the impact of rising current density on future material demand. High and low cases accounted for green hydrogen production targets and announced OEM […]

Hydrogen electrolyzer cost benchmarking and outlook

ADI assessed the cost competitiveness of alkaline, proton exchange membrane (PEM), and solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) electrolyzers, focusing on the capex variations globally. The work detailed the cost outlook of stack components like bipolar plates and catalyst-coated membranes over a 10-year period. Levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) modeling was used to demonstrate variations in […]

Hydrogen infrastructure due diligence

ADI performed a market-focused due diligence of a hydrogen distribution company to evaluate its positioning within the transportation sector in California. The work assessed low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) credit pricing volatility and the total cost of ownership (TCO) for heavy-duty FCEV trucks compared to battery and diesel alternatives. The client Private equity firm The situation […]

Hydrogen market assessment and go-to-market strategy

ADI evaluated global hydrogen demand across high-volume refining and ammonia sectors alongside emerging small-volume applications in semiconductors and glass. The study utilized technical benchmarks for SMR and electrolysis to identify segments where on-site reliability and high purity levels (99.9999%+) justify compact reactor adoption over traditional tube trailer delivery. The client Industrial technology provider The situation […]

Midstream asset commercial strategy and economics

ADI assessed the market value of natural gas and hydrogen storage assets near the U.S. Gulf Coast through a detailed analysis of regional pipeline interconnects and seasonal spreads. The work evaluated the premium commanded by high-deliverability salt caverns and the technical constraints of repurposing infrastructure for hydrogen. The client Natural gas midstream operator The situation […]

Strategic assessment of IRA incentives for refiners

ADI analyzed the stackable tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act to prioritize decarbonization projects at existing refining assets. The study mapped technical pathways for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), blue hydrogen, and carbon capture against regional infrastructure and environmental justice criteria. This effort identified how loan guarantees and transferability provisions can de-risk capital projects […]

Customer Results
ADI was very responsive and thoughtful. They brought a lot of domain expertise and bring knowledge to the table. They were a great partner to work with.
Ed Davis VP, White Deer Energy

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