Advances in Electrolyzer Emulators: A Comprehensive Review

Electrolyzers (ELs) have become pivotal technologies for the production of green hydrogen, a clean energy carrier that facilitates renewable energy sources and supports the energy transition from fossil-based to a zero-carbon energy system. However, challenges such as high costs, maintenance requirements, and hydrogen storage issues still hinder large-scale deployment. To address these obstacles, EL emulators have emerged as low-cost and safe alternatives for system development and testing. These emulators have gained worldwide interest, supporting the design and validation of EL-based systems, without the risk of damaging real units. However, despite their increasing relevance in research and development, dedicated studies on EL emulators remain relatively scarce. This article provides a detailed overview of the main characteristics and various studies on emulators. The review starts by examining the existing literature on EL emulators and identifying gaps in current research. Special attention is paid to the electrical models adopted to reproduce their characteristics, as well as to the control strategies implemented to ensure accurate operation. This analysis highlights the importance of emulator-based studies in accelerating the development, optimization, and integration of diverse EL technologies into future energy systems.