Policy & Socio-Economics

The measures needed to limit global warming pose a particular challenge to current fossil fuel exporters who must not only decarbonise their local energy systems but also compensate for the expected decline in fossil fuel revenues. One possibility is seen in the export of green hydrogen. Using Algeria as a case study this paper analyses how different levels of ambition in hydrogen exports energy efficiency and fuel switching affect the costoptimal expansion of the power sector for a given overall emissions reduction path. Despite falling costs for photovoltaics and wind turbines the results indicate that in countries with very low natural gas prices such as Algeria a fully renewable electricity system by 2050 is unlikely without appropriate policy measures. The expansion of renewable energy should therefore start early given the high annual growth rates required which will be reinforced by additional green hydrogen exports. In parallel energy efficiency is a key factor as it directly mitigates CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and reduces domestic electricity demand which could instead be used for hydrogen production. Integrating electrolysers into the power system could potentially help to reduce specific costs through load shifting. Overall it seems advisable to analyse hydrogen exports together with local decarbonisation in order to better understand their interactions and to reduce emissions as efficiently as possible. These results and the methodology could be transferred to other countries that want to become green hydrogen exporters in the future and are therefore a useful addition for researchers and policy makers.

This report aims at summarizing the different stakeholders’ opinions on H2NG blends and cross them with the THyGA results to recommend some necessary actions to prepare the field for operational large-scale blending (liability delayed ignition adjustment…).

In the future green hydrogen—hydrogen produced with renewable energy resources—could provide developing countries with a zero-carbon energy carrier to support national sustainable energy objectives and it needs further consideration by policy makers and investors. Developing countries with good renewable energy resources could produce green hydrogen locally generating economic opportunities and increasing energy security by reducing exposure to oil price volatility and supply disruptions. Support from development finance institutions and concessional funds could play an important role in deploying first-of-a-kind green hydrogen projects accelerating the uptake of green hydrogen in developing countries and increasing capacity and creating the necessary policy and regulatory enabling environment.

Despite the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier existing studies analysing the recent evolution of this technology are scattered typically focusing on a specific type of hydrogen technology within a single country or region. In this paper we adopt a broader perspective providing an overview of the evolution of knowledge generation across different types of hydrogen fuel and the leading countries in developing new technologies in this field. Using data from the European Patent Office we map knowledge generation on hydrogen fuel technologies exploring its geographic distribution and its link with environmental sustainability. While the United States leads the generation of new knowledge other Asian and European countries show greater dynamism in growth and specialisation. Our study shows that although hydrogen fuel is considered environmentally friendly most recent technological developments are still related to fossil energy sources. However a faster growth rate is observed in the knowledge of hydrogen fuel from renewable sources pointing to a promising path towards sustainability. Moreover our analysis of the knowledge interconnection between different hydrogen types suggests that those technologies developed for hydrogen based on fossil energy sources have enabled novel applications based on renewable energies.

On this episode of Everything About Hydrogen we are speaking with Nashwa Al Rawahy Director of HMR Environmental Consultants based in Muscat Oman with regional offices in the United Arab Emirates.

We are excited to have an expert like Nashwa join us to discuss environmental and social impact studies their value to the communities and projects and the importance of building long term In Country Value (ICV).

The podcast can be found on their website.

As part of its efforts to secure a ‘net-zero society’ the UK government will take a strategic decision on the role of hydrogen in decarbonising homes within the next years. While scholars have recently advanced the social science research agenda on hydrogen technology acceptance studies are yet to engage with the prospective dynamics of adopting ‘hydrogen homes’. In response this study examines the perceived adoption potential of hydrogen heating and cooking technologies as evaluated through the eyes of consumer. Engaging with behavioural and market acceptance this research draws on data from a broadly nationally representative online survey to examine the influence of safety technological economic environmental and emotional factors on the domestic hydrogen transition in the UK context. The analysis follows a multi-stage empirical approach integrating findings from partial least squares structural equation and necessary condition analysis to crystallise insights on this emergent subject. At this juncture perceived adoption potential may hinge primarily on emotional environmental safety and to a lesser extent technological perspectives. However consumers have an expressed preference for hydrogen heating over hydrogen cooking with perceived boiler performance emerging as a necessary condition for enabling adoption potential. At the formative phase of the transition risks associated with energy insecurity and fuel poverty exceed concerns over purchasing and running costs. Nevertheless economic factors remain less critical during the pre-deployment phase of the innovation-decision process. Across the full sample simple slope analysis highlights the moderating effects of gender age and housing tenure. Moreover statistically significant differences from both a sufficiency- and necessity-based perspective are detected between male property owners aged 55+ and female mortgage owners 18–34 years old. By bridging the knowledge gap between social acceptance and adoption intention this contribution reinforces the need for consumer engagement in the hydrogen economy advocating for more fine-grained mixed-methods analyses of technology acceptance dynamics to support decarbonisation strategies.

Promoting green hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal discourse in the contemporary energy landscape driven by pressing environmental concerns and the quest for sustainable energy solutions. This paper delves into the multifaceted domain of C-Suite issues about green hydrogen encompassing both technological advancements and policy considerations. The question of whether green hydrogen is poised to become the focal point of the upcoming energy race is explored through an extensive analysis of its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier. The transition from conventional fossil fuels to green hydrogen is considered a fundamental shift in energy paradigms with far-reaching implications for global energy markets. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art green hydrogen technologies including fuel cells photocatalysts photo electrocatalysts and hydrogen panels. In tandem with technological advancements the role of policy and strategy in fostering the development of green hydrogen energy assumes paramount significance. The paper elucidates the critical interplay between government policies market dynamics and corporate strategies in shaping the green hydrogen landscape. It delves into policy mechanisms such as subsidies carbon pricing and renewable energy mandates shedding light on their potential to incentivize the production and adoption of green hydrogen. This paper offers a nuanced exploration of C-Suite issues surrounding green hydrogen painting a comprehensive picture of the technological and policy considerations that underpin its emergence as a transformative energy source. As the global community grapples with the imperatives of climate change mitigation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions understanding these issues becomes imperative for executives policymakers and stakeholders alike.

Hydrogen (H2) is an essential vector for freeing our societies from fossil fuels and effectively initiating the energy transition. Offering high energy density hydrogen can be used for mobile stationary or industrial applications of all sizes. This perspective on the crucial role of hydrogen is shared by a growing number of countries worldwide (e.g. China Germany Japan Republic of Korea Australia and United States) which are publishing ambitious roadmaps for the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies supported by substantial financial efforts.

Eliminating CO₂ emissions from industry and transport in line with the 1.5⁰C climate goal

To avoid catastrophic climate change the world needs to reach zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in all all sectors of the economy by the 2050s. Effective energy decarbonisation presents a major challenge especially in key industry and transport sectors.



The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has produced a comprehensive study of deep decarbonisation options focused on reaching zero into time to fulfil the Paris Agreement and hold the line on rising global temperatures.



Several sectors stand out as especially hard to decarbonise. Four of the most energy-intensive industries (iron and steel chemicals and petrochemicals cement and lime and aluminium) and three key transport sectors (road freight aviation and shipping) could together account for 38% of energy and process emissions and 43% of final energy use by 2050 without major policy changes now the report finds.



Reaching zero with renewables considers how these sectors could achieve zero emissions by 2060 and assesses the use of renewables and related technologies to achieve this. Decarbonisation options for each sector span efficiency improvements electrification direct heat and fuel production using renewables along with CO₂ removal measures.



Without such measures energy and process emissions could amount to 11.4 gigatonnes from industry and 8.6 gigatonnes from transport at mid-century the report indicates. Along with sector-specific actions cross-cutting actions are needed at higher levels.



The report offers ten broad recommendations for industries and governments:

1. Pursue a renewables-based strategy for end-use sectors with an end goal of zero emissions.

2. Develop a shared vision and strategy and co-develop practical roadmaps involving all major players.

3. Build confidence and knowledge among decision makers.

4. Plan and deploy enabling infrastructure early on.

5. Foster early demand for green products and services.

6. Develop tailored approaches to ensure access to finance.

7. Collaborate across borders.

8. Think globally while utilising national strengths.

9. Establish clear pathways for the evolution of regulations and international standards.

10. Support research development and systemic innovation.



With the right plans and sufficient support the goal of reaching zero is achievable the report shows.

The hydrogen economy is a proposition for the distribution of energy by using hydrogen in order to potentially eliminate carbon emissions and end our reliance on fossil fuels. Some futuristic forecasters view the hydrogen economy as the ultimate carbon free economy. Hydrogen operated vehicles are on trial in many countries. The use of hydrogen as an energy source for buildings is in its infancy but research and development is evolving. Hydrogen is generally fed into devices called fuel cells to produce energy. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity and heat from a fuel (often hydrogen) and oxygen. Fuel cells have a number of advantages over other technologies for power generation. When fed with clean hydrogen they have the potential to use less fuel than competing technologies and to emit no pollution (the only bi-product being water). However hydrogen has to be produced and stored in the first instance. It is possible to generate hydrogen from renewable sources but the technology is still immature and the transformation is wasteful. The creation of a clean hydrogen production and distribution economy at a global level is very costly. Proponents of a world-scale hydrogen economy argue that hydrogen can be an environmentally cleaner source of energy to end-users particularly in transportation applications without release of pollutants (such as particulate matter) or greenhouse gases at the point of end use. Critics of a hydrogen economy argue that for many planned applications of hydrogen direct use of electricity or production of liquid synthetic fuels from locally-produced hydrogen and CO2 (e.g. methanol economy) might accomplish many of the same net goals of a hydrogen economy while requiring only a small fraction of the investment in new infrastructure. This paper reviews the hydrogen economy how it is produced and distributed. It then investigates the different types of fuel cells and identifies which types are relevant to the built environment both in residential and nonresidential sections. It concludes by examining what are the future plans in terms of implementing fuel cells in the built environment and discussing some of the needs of built environment sector.



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