Clean Hydrogen Engineering for Industrial Decarbonization: Comparative Socio-TechnicalSystems Analysis of the Netherlands’ Hydrogen Hub Model and Japan’s Hydrogen–AmmoniaSupply Chain Model

Abstract

This article examines how clean hydrogen systems are engineered, governed, and implemented as
infrastructures for industrial decarbonization and sustainable socio-economic development. Using a
comparative socio-technical systems analysis of the Netherlands and Japan, the study argues that clean
hydrogen transition cannot be understood through electrolyser capacity or hydrogen demand projections
alone; it depends on interactions among electrochemical conversion, renewable electricity, industrial
clustering, pipelines, storage, import terminals, certification systems, end-use technologies, and public
policy. The Netherlands represents a hydrogen hub model centered on industrial clusters, port infrastructure,
offshore wind, electrolytic hydrogen, pipeline backbones, and European regulatory integration. Japan
represents a hydrogen–ammonia supply chain model centered on imported low-carbon fuels, liquefied
hydrogen, ammonia co-firing, carrier technologies, long-distance logistics, and energy security. The findings
indicate that the Dutch model is technologically suited to industrial cluster decarbonization but depends on
renewable electricity, infrastructure timing, and demand creation. The Japanese model is suited to energyimport diversification and technology demonstration but faces efficiency losses, fuel certification challenges,
and end-use prioritization dilemmas. The article contributes to engineering and technology scholarship by developing a conceptual model linking hydrogen system architecture, technological integration, industrial adoption, sustainability verification, and socio-economic resilience