Vocal proponents claim that hydrogen will play a crucial role in the low-carbon energy future, a claim critics dismiss. Our approach to clarifying these disputes involves reviewing literature and policy documents, revisiting energy and hydrogen physics, and framing the hydrogen question within the context of failing climate and energy politics and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Clarity about hydrogen’s role begins with knowing its peculiar properties, followed by numerical data on energy conversions and related losses, which reveal intractable hurdles in deploying a hydrogen energy economy. Thus, hydrogen derivatives like ammonia and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels emerge, but they sink the green hydrogen ambitions advertised to the public. Their dubious environmental and financial performance is hidden by substantial subsidies. The announced EU megaproject for producing 11 Mtons of green ammonia at the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan contrasts with the 20 ktons realized project in Norway. While the Kazakhstani project promises grand results, its practical and financial feasibility is questionable. The Norwegian project shows the reality of green ammonia production. The article concludes that hydrogen’s economic and environmental feasibility remains challenging.

The growing need for sustainable energy has intensified research on photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen production. Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a promising photoanode due to its stability, suitable bandgap (~2.4–2.8 eV), and strong visible-light absorption. However, performance limitations arise from short hole diffusion length and high recombination rates. This study examines the effect of substrate rotation during magnetron sputtering on WO3 thin films' morphology and PEC performance, employing the glancing angle deposition technique to achieve nanostructured films that enhance light trapping. SEM analysis reveals that films deposited without rotation exhibit greater porosity, improving light absorption and charge transport. As a result, these films demonstrate higher photocurrent density and enhanced electrochemical impedance properties. These findings highlight the significance of deposition dynamics in optimizing WO3 for PEC applications. This study provides insights into controlling thin film morphology to improve PEC efficiency, contributing to the development of more effective water-splitting devices.