Abstract

Energy supply chain participants recognise the benefits of hydrogen energy (H2-e) in accelerating the energy transition. However, concerns remain regarding the financial viability of H2-e supply chain operations. The application of supply chain finance (SCF) in renewable energy (RE) networks has received significant attention as stakeholders perceive its benefits in improving liquidity, financial performance, and competitiveness. Despite the increasing volume of SCF-related studies on RE networks, there is a dearth of articles that extensively review extant literature to identify SCF capabilities suitable for H2-e networks, build a holistic framework of hydrogen energy supply chain finance (H2-e-SCF) to guide practitioners and future research agenda. A state-of-the-art systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted on 66 candidate articles between 2008 to 2023, which were analysed using template analysis to identify the existing research trends and explore key themes to build a framework for H2-e-SCF. Results revealed the desire for alternative energy, research efforts, financial considerations, policies, environmental sustainability, RE technologies, and energy SCF initiatives are the key factors that require SCF strategies in H2-e networks. The first framework of H2-e-SCF is developed as a guide for selecting and deploying SCF initiatives for improved value, competitiveness, and sustainability in H2-e networks. A framework of H2-e-SCF was developed using established methodological foundations as a guide to energy supply chain practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. The results emphasise the need to embrace SCF initiatives in H2-e networks to fast-track energy transition, address energy security, and improve sustainability.