Hydrogen (H-2) is a clean, effective and renewable fuel which can be produced by different methods including biological ones, namely fermentation and biophotolysis. To improve fermentative H-2 production the strategies, implicating use of by-products, utilization of carbon containing organic wastes and optimization of biotechnology process conditions, are developed. Glycerol, a biodiesel by-product, can serve as a cheap carbon containing source to produce H-2 by Escherichia coli. Recent data on metabolic pathways, responsible hydrogenases and dependence of H-2 production on external factors during glycerol fermentation are summarized. The strains are constructed to enhance H-2 yield. The mixed carbon sources (glycerol and glucose) fermentation is a novel approach; glycerol added to glucose containing medium increases H-2 production; different carbon sources comprising wastes can be used. H-2 production from glycerol by different bacteria is overviewed; cultures types, new technologies and optimal conditions, purification of H-2 and developing bioreactors are highlighted. All of these are significant for further developing H-2 production biotechnology from glycerol and perspective for applied energy systems. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.