Energy storage in the form of hydrogen is a problem of cost effectiveness times efficiency.  Daniel Nocera of MIT seems to have solved the problem for the electrode that generates hydrogen. He has devised a self regenerating electrode.  They use platinum for the oxygen side.  The problem there is price.

I can only presume that the reference to testing against platinum is for purposes of showing relative efficiency.   Platinum is almost the default catalyst for most reactions, where price is no object. Has long been so. Interesting article with links to other interesting work.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."