SUSTAINABLE HYDROPOWER & GREEN HYDROGEN CO-PRODUCTION: Development, Operations & Sustainability

Sustainable Hydropower & Green Hydrogen Co-Production by Ofili Methadius Iweanya offers a timely and rigorous exploration of one of the most promising pathways for achieving deep decarbonization while preserving energy security and economic viability. Positioned at the intersection of renewable power systems, energy economics, and climate policy, the book presents an integrated framework for leveraging hydropower assets to enable scalable, cost-effective green hydrogen production. As global energy systems transition toward net-zero emissions, the limitations of electricity-only decarbonization have become increasingly apparent. Hard-to-abate sectors—including heavy industry, long-distance transport, and seasonal energy storage—require clean molecular fuels alongside renewable electricity. This book responds to that challenge by demonstrating how hydropower-based green hydrogen co-production can transform existing renewable infrastructure into multi-functional energy platforms capable of delivering electricity, clean fuels, and system flexibility simultaneously. The book begins by establishing a strong conceptual and analytical foundation.by examining the technical principles of hydropower generation and water electrolysis, while situating both within the broader context of energy systems integration and sector coupling. Readers are guided through the economic logic of co-production, with clear explanations of electricity pricing, opportunity cost, levelized cost of hydrogen, capital intensity, and long-term asset optimization. These discussions are grounded in real-world system constraints, making the analysis directly relevant to policymakers, utilities, and investors. The major contribution of the book is its focus on sustainability and governance. Rather than treating hydropower and hydrogen as isolated technologies, the author addresses the institutional, regulatory, and environmental frameworks required to manage shared water resources, grid interactions, and market access. The book carefully balances climate objectives with ecological integrity, highlighting the importance of environmental flows, social license, and community development in large-scale renewable projects. From an industry perspective, it functions as a strategic guide to commercialization by exploring practical integration models, operational strategies, and investment structures for hydropower-hydrogen systems across both developed and emerging economies.