Policy & Socio-Economics
Hourly Modelling of Thermal Hydrogen Electricity Markets
Jul 2020
Publication
The hourly operation of Thermal Hydrogen electricity markets is modelled. The economic values for all applicable chemical commodities are quantified (syngas ammonia methanol and oxygen) and an hourly electricity model is constructed to mimic the dispatch of key technologies: bi-directional power plants dual-fuel heating systems and plug-in fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles. The operation of key technologies determines hourly electricity prices and an optimization model adjusts the capacity to minimize electricity prices yet allow all generators to recover costs. We examine 12 cost scenarios for renewables nuclear and natural gas; the results demonstrate emissionsfree ‘energy-only’ electricity markets whose supply is largely dominated by renewables. The economic outcome is made possible in part by seizing the full supply-chain value from electrolysis (both hydrogen and oxygen) which allows an increased willingness to pay for (renewable) electricity. The wholesale electricity prices average $25–$45/ MWh or just slightly higher than the assumed levelized cost of renewable energy. This implies very competitive electricity prices particularly given the lack of need for ‘scarcity’ pricing capacity markets dedicated electricity storage or underutilized electric transmission and distribution capacity.
Evaluation of Heat Decarbonization Strategies and Their Impact on the Irish Gas Network
Dec 2021
Publication
Decarbonization of the heating sector is essential to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement for 2050. However poorly insulated buildings and industrial processes with high and intermittent heating demand will still require traditional boilers that burn fuel to avoid excessive burden on electrical networks. Therefore it is important to assess the impact of residential commercial and industrial heat decarbonization strategies on the distribution and transmission gas networks. Using building energy models in EnergyPlus the progressive decarbonization of gas-fueled heating was investigated by increasing insulation in buildings and increasing the efficiency of gas boilers. Industrial heat decarbonization was evaluated through a progressive move to lowercarbon fuel sources using MATLAB. The results indicated a maximum decrease of 19.9% in natural gas utilization due to the buildings’ thermal retrofits. This coupled with a move toward the electrification of heat will reduce volumes of gas being transported through the distribution gas network. However the decarbonization of the industrial heat demand with hydrogen could result in up to a 380% increase in volumetric flow rate through the transmission network. A comparison between the decarbonization of domestic heating through gas and electrical heating is also carried out. The results indicated that gas networks can continue to play an essential role in the decarbonized energy systems of the future.
Where Does Hydrogen Fit in a Sustainable Energy Economy?
Jul 2012
Publication
Where does hydrogen fit into a global sustainable energy strategy for the 21st century as we face the enormous challenges of irreversible climate change and uncertain oil supply? This fundamental question is addressed by sketching a sustainable energy strategy that is based predominantly on renewable energy inputs and energy efficiency with hydrogen playing a crucial and substantial role. But this role is not an ex -distributed hydrogen production storage and distribution centres relying on local renewable energy sources and feedstocks would be created to avoid the need for an expensive long-distance hydrogen pipeline system. There would thus be complementary use of electricity and hydrogen as energy vectors. Importantly bulk hydrogen storage would provide the strategic energy reserve to guarantee national and global energy security in a world relying increasingly on renewable energy; and longer-term seasonal storage on electricity grids relying mainly on renewables. In the transport sector a 'horses for courses' approach is proposed in which hydrogen fuel cell vehicles would be used in road and rail vehicles requiring a range comparable to today's petrol and diesel vehicles and in coastal and international shipping while liquid hydrogen would probably have to be used in air transport. Plug-in battery electric vehicles would be reserved for shorter-trips. Energy-economic-environmental modelling is recommended as the next step to quantify the net benefits of the overall strategy outlined.
World Energy Issues Monitor 2019 Managing the Grand Energy Transition
Oct 2019
Publication
This is the tenth consecutive year of the World Energy Council’s (the Council) annual survey of key challenges and opportunities facing energy leaders in managing and shaping Energy Transitions. This year’s Issues Monitor report provides seven global maps six regional maps and fifty national maps.
These maps have been developed by analysing the responses of nearly 2300 energy leaders drawn from across the Council’s diverse and truly global energy community.
The Council’s Issues Monitor identifies the strategic energy landscape of specific countries and regions in the world through an analysis of 42 energy issues and 4 digitalisation-specific issues affecting the energy system. It provides a unique reality check and horizon scanning of persistent and emerging concerns involved in whole energy systems transition. This year’s report welcomes a significant increase in both the participation of global leaders (up over 75% from 1300 to nearly 2300) as well as the participation of 86 countries.
Each Issue Map provides a visual snapshot of the uncertainties and action priorities that energy policymakers CEOs and leading experts strive to address to shape and manage successful Energy
Transitions. Maps can be used in the following ways:
These maps have been developed by analysing the responses of nearly 2300 energy leaders drawn from across the Council’s diverse and truly global energy community.
The Council’s Issues Monitor identifies the strategic energy landscape of specific countries and regions in the world through an analysis of 42 energy issues and 4 digitalisation-specific issues affecting the energy system. It provides a unique reality check and horizon scanning of persistent and emerging concerns involved in whole energy systems transition. This year’s report welcomes a significant increase in both the participation of global leaders (up over 75% from 1300 to nearly 2300) as well as the participation of 86 countries.
Each Issue Map provides a visual snapshot of the uncertainties and action priorities that energy policymakers CEOs and leading experts strive to address to shape and manage successful Energy
Transitions. Maps can be used in the following ways:
- To promote a shared understanding of successful Energy Transitions
- To appreciate and contrast regional variations to better understand differing priorities and areas of concern
- To follow the evolution of specific technology trends related to the energy sector
H2FC Supergen- The Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Future Energy Systems
Mar 2017
Publication
This White Paper has been commissioned by the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (H2FC) SUPERGEN Hub to examine the roles and potential benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in delivering energy security for the UK. The H2FC SUPERGEN Hub is an inclusive network encompassing the entire UK hydrogen and fuel cells research community with around 100 UK-based academics supported by key stakeholders from industry and government. It is funded by the UK EPSRC research council as part of the RCUK Energy Programme. This paper is the second of four that were published over the lifetime of the Hub with the others examining: (i) low-carbon heat; (iii) future energy systems; and (iv) economic impact.
- Fuel cells can contribute to UK energy system security both now and in the future.
- Hydrogen can be produced using a broad range of feedstocks and production processes including renewable electricity.
- Adopting hydrogen as an end-use fuel in the long term increases UK energy diversity.
Legal Regulation of Hydrogen in Germany and Ukraine as a Precondition for Energy Partnership and Energy Transition
Dec 2021
Publication
In August 2020 Germany and Ukraine launched an energy partnership that includes the development of a hydrogen economy. Ukraine has vast renewable energy resources for “green” hydrogen production and a gas transmission system for transportation instead of Russian natural gas. Based on estimates by Hydrogen Europe Ukraine can install 8000 MW of total electrolyser capacity by 2030. For these reasons Ukraine is among the EU’s priority partners concerning clean hydrogen according to the EU Hydrogen strategy. Germany plans to reach climate neutrality by 2045 and “green” hydrogen plays an important role in achieving this target. However according to the National Hydrogen Strategy of Germany local production of “green” hydrogen will not cover all internal demand in Germany. For this reason Germany considers importing hydrogen from Ukraine. To govern the production and import of “green” hydrogen Germany and Ukraine shall introduce legal regulations the initial analysis of which is covered in this study. Based on observation and comparison this paper presents and compares approaches while exploring the current stage and further perspectives for legal regulation of hydrogen in Germany and Ukraine. This research identifies opportunities in hydrogen production to improve the flexibility of the Ukrainian power system. This is an important issue for Ukrainian energy security. In the meantime hydrogen can be a driver for decarbonisation according to the initial plans of Germany and it may also have positive impact on the operation of Germany’s energy system with a high share of renewables.
Exploring Future Promising Technologies in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Transportation
Jan 2022
Publication
The purpose of this research was to derive promising technologies for the transport of hydrogen fuel cells thereby supporting the development of research and development policy and presenting directions for investment. We also provide researchers with information about technology that will lead the technology field in the future. Hydrogen energy as the core of carbon neutral and green energy is a major issue in changing the future industrial structure and national competitive advantage. In this study we derived promising technology at the core of future hydrogen fuel cell transportation using the published US patent and paper databases (DB). We first performed text mining and data preprocessing and then discovered promising technologies through generative topographic mapping analysis. We analyzed both the patent DB and treatise DB in parallel and compared the results. As a result two promising technologies were derived from the patent DB analysis and five were derived from the paper DB analysis.
How Hydrogen Empowers the Energy Transition
Jan 2017
Publication
This report commissioned by the Hydrogen Council and announced in conjunction with the launch of the initiative at the World Economic Forum in January 2017 details the future potential that hydrogen is ready to provide and sets out the vision of the Council and the key actions it considers fundamental for policy makers to implement to fully unlock and empower the contribution of hydrogen to the energy transition.
In this paper we explore the role of hydrogen in the energy transition including its potential recent achievements and challenges to its deployment. We also offer recommendations to ensure that the proper conditions are developed to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies with the support of policymakers the private sector and society.
You can download the full report from the Hydrogen Council website here
In this paper we explore the role of hydrogen in the energy transition including its potential recent achievements and challenges to its deployment. We also offer recommendations to ensure that the proper conditions are developed to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies with the support of policymakers the private sector and society.
You can download the full report from the Hydrogen Council website here
A Vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand - Green Paper
Sep 2019
Publication
Green hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in our energy system and could play an important role in decarbonising parts of our economy.
To assist with the development of the Hydrogen Green Paper MBIE assisted by consultants Arup – held four workshops with key stakeholders in Wellington Auckland Christchurch and New Plymouth. The workshops were well attended with a range of views expressed on the potential for hydrogen in New Zealand. Following the workshops we incorporated these views into a Hydrogen Green Paper which was released for public consultation. We sought feedback from the public and wider stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities of building a hydrogen economy in New Zealand as part of our renewable energy strategy. On 2 September 2019 we released the green paper – “A vision for hydrogen in New Zealand”. Consultation ended on 25 October 2019. The green paper looked at the scope of New Zealand’s hydrogen potential to frame discussions for a national strategy.
The green paper asked 27 questions about the challenges and opportunities and the Government’s role in nine key areas:
This green paper along with the submissions will feed into a wider renewable energy strategy for New Zealand. This will outline the renewable energy pathway to a clean green carbon neutral for New Zealand by 2050.
To assist with the development of the Hydrogen Green Paper MBIE assisted by consultants Arup – held four workshops with key stakeholders in Wellington Auckland Christchurch and New Plymouth. The workshops were well attended with a range of views expressed on the potential for hydrogen in New Zealand. Following the workshops we incorporated these views into a Hydrogen Green Paper which was released for public consultation. We sought feedback from the public and wider stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities of building a hydrogen economy in New Zealand as part of our renewable energy strategy. On 2 September 2019 we released the green paper – “A vision for hydrogen in New Zealand”. Consultation ended on 25 October 2019. The green paper looked at the scope of New Zealand’s hydrogen potential to frame discussions for a national strategy.
The green paper asked 27 questions about the challenges and opportunities and the Government’s role in nine key areas:
- Hydrogen production
- Hydrogen electricity nexus
- Hydrogen for mobility
- Hydrogen for industrial processes
- Hydrogen for seasonal power generation
- Decarbonisation of our gas
- Hydrogen for export
- Innovation expands job opportunities
- Transitioning the job market
This green paper along with the submissions will feed into a wider renewable energy strategy for New Zealand. This will outline the renewable energy pathway to a clean green carbon neutral for New Zealand by 2050.
Hydrogen Economy Roadmap of Korea
Jan 2019
Publication
Hydrogen economy" refers to an economy where hydrogen is an important environmentally-friendly energy source brings out radical changes to the national economy and society as a whole and is a driving force behind economic growth.<br/>As hydrogen is not only a driver of innovative growth but also a means of using energy in a more eco-friendly way a hydrogen economy refers to the pursuit of a society that realizes the unlimited potential of hydrogen.<br/>This document summarises Korea's roadmap towards a hydrogen economy the expected benefits for both economic and environmental factors and the potential limitations. It also emphasises Korea's vision going forward on fuel cells hydrogen production hydrogen storage and transport and the hydrogen ecosystem as a whole.
H2FC SUPERGEN- The Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Providing Affordable, Secure Low-carbon Heat
May 2014
Publication
This White Paper has been commissioned by the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (H2FC) SUPERGEN Hub to examine the roles and potential benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for heat provision in future low-carbon energy systems. The H2FC SUPERGEN Hub is an inclusive network encompassing the entire UK hydrogen and fuel cells research community with around 100 UK-based academics supported by key stakeholders from industry and government. It is funded by the UK EPSRC research council as part of the RCUK Energy Programme. This paper is the first of four that will be published over the lifetime of the Hub with the others examining: (i) low-carbon energy systems (including balancing renewable intermittency); (ii) low-carbon transport systems; and (iii) the provision of secure and affordable energy supplies for the future
- Hydrogen and fuel cells are part of the cost-optimal heating technology portfolio in long-term UK energy system scenarios.
- Fuel cell CHP is already being deployed commercially around the world.
- Hydrogen can be a zero-carbon alternative to natural gas. Most technologies that use natural gas can be adapted to use hydrogen and still provide the same level of service.
- Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies avoid some of the disadvantages of other low-carbon heating technologies.
Hydrogen Strategy - Enabling a Low-Carbon Economy
Jul 2020
Publication
This document summarizes current hydrogen technologies and communicates the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy's (FE's) strategic plan to accelerate research development and deploymnet of hydrogen technologies in the United States. It also describes ongoing FE hydrogen-related research and development (R&D). Hydrogen from fossil fuels is a versatile energy carrier and can play an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Hydrogen Roadmap: A Commitment to Renewable Hydrogen - Executive Summary
Oct 2020
Publication
This Hydrogen Roadmap aims to identify the challenges and opportunities for the full development of renewable hydrogen in Spain providing a series of measures aimed at boosting investment action taking advantage of the European consensus on the role that this energy vector should play in the context of green recovery. This Roadmap is therefore aligned with the 2021 Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy published by the European Commission which identifies the future Recovery and Resilience Mechanism as an opportunity to create emblematic areas of action at European level making two of these areas of action (Power up and Recharge and Refuel) an explicit mention of the development of renewable hydrogen in the European Union.
Annual Science Review 2019
Mar 2019
Publication
Having a robust evidence base enables us to tackle real issues causing pain and suffering in the workplace. Critically it enables us to better understand developing issues and ways of working to ensure that we support innovation rather than stifle it through lack of knowledge. For example the work on the use of 3D printers in schools demonstrates HSE’s bility to engage and understand the risks to encourage safe innovation in a developing area (see p47).<br/>Other examples in this report show just a selection of the excellent work carried out by our staff often collaborating with others which contributes to improving how we regulate health and safety risks proportionately and effectively.<br/>One of HSEs key priorities is to prevent future cases of occupational lung disease by improving the management and control of hazardous substances. The case study on measuring Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure contributes to this and to recognise developing and future issues such as the work on diacetyl in the coffee industry (see p24 and p39). This type of scientific investigation gives our regulators good trusted information enabling critical decisions on the actions needed to protect workers.<br/>The case study on publishing new guidance on the use of Metalworking Fluids (MWF) demonstrates the important contribution of collaborative science to improving regulation. If used inappropriately exposure to MWF mist can cause serious long-term lung disease and it was recognised that users needed help to control this risk. HSE scientists and regulators worked with industry stakeholders to produce new free guidance which reflects changes in scientific understanding in a practical easy to use guide. As well as enabling users to better manage the risks and as a bonus likely save money it has assisted regulation by providing clear benchmarks for all to judge control against. An excellent example of science contributing to controlling serious health risks (see p22).<br/>These case studies are excellent examples of how science contributes to reducing risk. Hopefully they will inspire you to think about how risk in your workplace could be improved and where further work might be needed.
Analysing Future Demand, Supply, and Transport of Hydrogen
Jun 2021
Publication
Hydrogen is crucial to Europe’s transformation into a climate-neutral continent by mid-century. This study concludes that the European Union (EU) and UK could see a hydrogen demand of 2300 TWh (2150-2750 TWh) by 2050. This corresponds to 20-25% of EU and UK final energy consumption by 2050. Achieving this future role of hydrogen depends on many factors including market frameworks legislation technology readiness and consumer choice.
The document can be download on their website
The document can be download on their website
Hydrogen Production, Distribution, Storage and Power Conversion in a Hydrogen Economy - A Technology Review
Aug 2021
Publication
To meet ambitious targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the 2035-2050 timeframe hydrogen has been identified as a clean “green” fuel of interest. In comparison to fossil fuel use the burning of hydrogen results in zero CO2 emissions and it can be obtained from renewable energy sources. In addition to zero CO2 emissions hydrogen has several other attractive properties such as higher gravimetric energy content and wider flammability limits than most fossil fuels. However there are practical limitations to its widespread use at present which include low volumetric energy density in the gaseous state and high well-to-wheel costs when compared to fossil fuel production and distribution. In this paper a review is undertaken to identify the current state of development of key areas of the hydrogen network such as production distribution storage and power conversion technology. At present high technology costs still are a barrier to widespread hydrogen adoption but it is envisioned that as scale of production increases then costs are likely to fall. Technical barriers to a hydrogen economy adoption are not as significant as one might think as key technologies in the hydrogen network are already mature with working prototypes already developed for technologies such as liquid hydrogen composite cryotanks and proton exchange membrane fuel cells. It is envisioned that with continuous investment to achieve requisite scale that a hydrogen economy could be realised sooner rather than later with novel concepts such as turboelectric distributed propulsion enabled by a shift to hydrogen-powered network.
The Role of Green and Blue Hydrogen in the Energy Transition—A Technological and Geopolitical Perspective
Dec 2020
Publication
Hydrogen is currently enjoying a renewed and widespread momentum in many national and international climate strategies. This review paper is focused on analysing the challenges and opportunities that are related to green and blue hydrogen which are at the basis of different perspectives of a potential hydrogen society. While many governments and private companies are putting significant resources on the development of hydrogen technologies there still remains a high number of unsolved issues including technical challenges economic and geopolitical implications. The hydrogen supply chain includes a large number of steps resulting in additional energy losses and while much focus is put on hydrogen generation costs its transport and storage should not be neglected. A low-carbon hydrogen economy offers promising opportunities not only to fight climate change but also to enhance energy security and develop local industries in many countries. However to face the huge challenges of a transition towards a zero-carbon energy system all available technologies should be allowed to contribute based on measurable indicators which require a strong international consensus based on transparent standards and targets.
Prospects and Obstacles for Green Hydrogen Production in Russia
Jan 2021
Publication
Renewable energy is considered the one of the most promising solutions to meet sustainable development goals in terms of climate change mitigation. Today we face the problem of further scaling up renewable energy infrastructure which requires the creation of reliable energy storages environmentally friendly carriers like hydrogen and competitive international markets. These issues provoke the involvement of resource-based countries in the energy transition which is questionable in terms of economic efficiency compared to conventional hydrocarbon resources. To shed a light on the possible efficiency of green hydrogen production in such countries this study is aimed at: (1) comparing key Russian trends of green hydrogen development with global trends (2) presenting strategic scenarios for the Russian energy sector development (3) presenting a case study of Russian hydrogen energy project «Dyakov Ust-Srednekanskaya HPP» in Magadan region. We argue that without significant changes in strategic planning and without focus on sustainable solutions support the further development of Russian power industry will be halted in a conservative scenario with the limited presence of innovative solutions in renewable energy industries. Our case study showed that despite the closeness to Japan hydrogen market economic efficiency is on the edge of zero with payback period around 17 years. The decrease in project capacity below 543.6 MW will immediately lead to a negative NPV. The key reason for that is the low average market price of hydrogen ($14/kg) which is only a bit higher than its production cost ($12.5/kg) while transportation requires about $0.96/kg more. Despite the discouraging results it should be taken into account that such strategic projects are at the edge of energy development. We see them as an opportunity to lead transnational energy trade of green hydrogen which could be competitive in the medium term especially with state support.
Towards a Large-Scale Hydrogen Industry for Australia
Oct 2020
Publication
As nations around the world seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in order to mitigate climate change risks there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of hydrogen as a zero-emissions energy carrier. Hydrogen can be produced from diverse feedstocks via a range of low-emissions pathways and has broad potential in the process of decarbonization across the energy transport and industrial sectors.<br/>With an abundance of both renewable and fossil fuel energy resources a comparatively low national energy demand and excellent existing regional resource trading links Australia is well positioned to pursue industrial-scale hydrogen production for both domestic and export purposes. In this paper we present an overview of the progress at the government industry and research levels currently undertaken to enable a large-scale hydrogen industry for Australia.
Everything About Hydrogen Podcast: So, What's the Big Deal with Hydrogen?
Aug 2019
Publication
This episode is a whistle-stop tour of the hydrogen world. The team explore why hydrogen is making a resurgence as an energy carrier how decarbonising the existing hydrogen market is a huge opportunity and how fuel cells fit into the story.
The podcast can be found on their website
The podcast can be found on their website
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