Hydrogen from Dairy Waste: A Clean Energy Solution from the Dairy Sector

Hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal clean fuel for decarbonizing future energy systems due to its high energy density and zero-carbon emissions at the point of use. Currently, hydrogen production is dominated by fossil-fuel-based processes such as steam methane reforming, which are carbon-intensive. In contrast, biohydrogen derived from organic waste streams represents a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative. The dairy industry, a key agro-industrial sector globally, generates vast quantities of organic-rich waste such as cheese whey, skim milk and effluents, which often remain underutilized or improperly managed. These substrates are particularly suitable for biological hydrogen production due to their high biodegradable content. This article explores various hydrogen production technologies, with a focus on biological processes such as dark fermentation, photo-fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), including recent advances like lactate-driven dark fermentation (LD-DF). The work also discusses the advantages of using dairy waste, associated challenges and future directions for research, especially in the context of India’s growing dairy sector and clean energy initiatives.