Policy & Socio-Economics

With the rising demand for renewable hydrogen as an alternative sustainable fuel efficient transport strategies have become essential particularly for regional and small-scale applications. While most previous studies focus on the long-distance transport of hydrogen little attention has been given to the application in regions that are remote from major transmission infrastructure. This study evaluates the techno-economic performance of hydrogen road transport using multiple-element hydrogen gas containers and compares it with multimodal transport using rail. The comparison is performed for the southeastern region of the Czech Republic. The comprehensive techno-economic assessment incorporates detailed technical evaluations precise fuel and energy consumption calculations and realworld infrastructure planning to enhance accuracy. Results showed that multimodal transport of hydrogen can significantly reduce the cost for distances exceeding 90 km. The cost is calculated based on annual vehicle utilization assuming the remaining utilization will be allocated to other tasks throughout the year. However the cost-effectiveness of rail transportation is influenced by track capacity limits and possible delays. Additionally this study highlights the crucial role of regional logistics hubs in optimizing transport modes further reducing costs and improving efficiency

Climate change will impact the affordability and independence of household green hydrogen systems due to shifting climate patterns and more frequent extreme events. However quantifying these impacts remains challenging because of the complex interactions among climate building characteristics and energy systems in urban environments. This study presents an integrated modeling platform that couples regional climate projections building energy performance simulations and energy system optimization to assess long-term climate impacts across four representative Canadian cities from 2010 to 2090. The results indicate that cooling-dominated cities may face up to a 50 % increase in energy costs and an 20 % rise in grid dependency whereas heating-dominated cities may experience cost reductions of up to 20 % and a 35 % decrease in grid reliance. Although climatealigned system designs cannot fully mitigate climate-induced performance variations they influence levelized cost of energy increasing it by up to 60 % in cooling-dominated cities but improving it by over 5 % in heatingdominated ones. These findings suggest that enhancing grid connectivity may be a more effective strategy than modifying system designs in cooling-dominated regions whereas adaptive design strategies offer greater benefits in heating-dominated areas.

As hydrogen products emerge as a promising energy alternative in multiple sectors low carbon hydrogen supply chains require concerted efforts among a diverse array of stakeholders. Within an evolving energy transition landscape stakeholders’ competition and cooperation play a critical role in expediting the deployment of the hydrogen economy. In this review different strategies referred to as Hydrogen Competition Cooperation and Coopetition (H2CCC) dynamics are analyzed from the lenses of game theory. The study employs hybrid literature review methodology integrating both bibliometric and structured review approaches. The study reveals that competition and cooperation represent a contrasting but interconnected dynamics that drive the energy transition. Coopetition models are less common. Furthermore it is observed that Integrated Energy Systems are mainly used in cooperative and coopetitive approaches while H2 technologies and Hydrogen Supply Chains are more explored in competitive approaches. Industrial and mobility sectors are present in H2CCC dynamics with technological players more present than institutional entities. Maps definitions gaps and perspectives are developed. These insights may be valuable for policymakers industry stakeholders modelers and researchers. There remains a need for further empirical H2CCC case studies and applications of pure coopetitive games.

The future is bright for hydrogen as a clean mobile energy source to replace petroleum products. This paper examines new and emerging technologies for hydrogen production storage and conversion and highlights recent commercialization efforts to realize its potential. Also the paper presents selected notable patents issued within the last few years. There is no shortage of inventions and innovations in hydrogen technologies in both academia and industry. While metal hydrides and functionalized carbon-based materials have improved tremendously as hydrogen storage materials over the years storing gaseous hydrogen in underground salt caverns has also become feasible in many commercial projects. Production of “blue hydrogen” is rising as a method of producing hydrogen in large quantities economically. Although electric/battery powered vehicles are dominating the green transport today innovative hydrogen fuel cell technologies are knocking at the door because of their lower refueling time compared to EV charging time. However the highest impact of hydrogen technologies in trans portation might be seen in the aviation industry. Hydrogen is expected to play a key role and provides hope in transforming aviation into a zero-carbon emission transportation over the next few decades.

As the European countries strive to meet their ambitious climate goals renewable hydrogen has emerged to aid in decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors and support the overall energy transition. To ensure that hydrogen production aligns with these goals the European Commission has introduced criteria for additionality temporal correlation and geographical correlation. These criteria are designed to ensure that hydrogen production from renewable sources supports the growth of renewable energy. This study assesses the impact of these criteria on green hydrogen production focusing on production costs and technology impacts. The European energy market is simulated up to 2048 using stochastic programming applying these requirements exclusively to green hydrogen production without the phased-in compliance period outlined in the EU regulations. The findings show that meeting the criteria will increase expected system costs by €82 billion from 2024 to 2048 largely due to the rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The additionality requirement which mandates the use of new renewable energy installations for electrolysis proves to be the most expensive but also the most effective in accelerating renewable energy adoption.

The climate crisis and global warming have created an urgent need for the scalable adoption of affordable and clean energy sources to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Decarbonization of global industries is critical to achieving the targets of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (especially Goals 7 and 13). Green hydrogen is becoming a key solution in the transition to renewable energy and the decarbonization with low-carbon energy options. This review presents an overview of the status and trends of hydrogen production storage transportation and application as well as key research areas with a forward-looking perspective to 2050. It explores the key challenges such as limited infrastructure high production costs and heavy energy demands. The study also identifies the drivers and barriers influencing hydrogen adoption across utility-scale electricity generation heating and niche markets. Key actions of governments in these pillar areas are necessary to accelerate hydrogen deployment through strategic investments and a policy framework to reduce technological costs and drive innovation. Transformative innovation in power generation transportation industrial processes and infrastructure will be essential to achieving deep decarbonization. In addition progress in digitalization automation data-driven decision-making recycling incentives and circular economies are essential to a social transformation and a global transition toward sustainability. Emerging hydrogen markets are also playing an increasingly dominant role in economic and human development particularly in low- and middle-income countries as the world works to transition to the use of renewable hydrogen.

Biohydrogen is known for its clean fuel properties with zero emissions. It serves as a reliable alternative to fossil fuel. This paper analyses the status of bio-hydrogen production in Malaysia and the on-going efforts on its advancement. Critical discussions were put forward on biohydrogen production from thermochemical and biological technologies governing associated technological issues and development. Moreover a comprehensive and vital overview has been made on Malaysian and global polices with road maps for the development of biohydrogen and its application in different sectors. This review article provides a framework for researchers on bio-hydrogen production technologies investors and the government to align policies for the biohydrogen based economy. Current biohydrogen energy outlook for production installation units and storage capacity are the key points to be highlighted from global and Malaysia’s perspectives. This critical and comprehensive review provides a strategic route for the researcher to research towards sustainable technology. Current policies related to hydrogen as fuel infrastructure in Malaysia and commercialization are highlighted. Malaysia is also gearing towards clean and decarbonization planning.

Biodiesel production through transesterification results in a large quantity of crude glycerol as a byproduct the utilization of which is technically and economically challenging. Because of the ability to efficiently process wet feedstocks supercritical water gasification (SCWG) is utilized in this study to convert crude glycerol into hydrogen-rich syngas. A significant challenge addressed through this study is the decomposition routes of different heterogeneous components of crude glycerol during SCWG. Pure glycerol methanol and oleic acid were investigated for SCWG as the model compounds of crude glycerol. SCWG of model compounds at temperature pressure feedstock concentration and reaction time of 500 ◦C 23–25 MPa 10 wt% and 1 h respectively revealed methanol to exhibit the highest H2 yield of 7.7 mmol/g followed by pure glycerol (4.4 mmol/g) and oleic acid (1.1 mmol/g). The effects of feedstock concentration from 30 wt% to 10 wt% increased H2 yield from all model compounds. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop a response curve to visualize the interactive behavior and develop model equations for the prediction of H2 -rich gas yields as a function of the composition of model compounds in the crude glycerol mixture. Predictive models showed a good agreement with experimental results demonstrating high accuracy and robustness of the model. These findings demonstrated a strong potential of crude glycerol for SCWG to generate H2 -rich syngas.

This Review provides an overview of the emerging concepts of catalystsmembranes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for water electrolyzers with anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) also known as zero-gap alkaline water electrolyzers. Much ofthe recent progress is due to improvements in materials chemistry MEA designs andoptimized operation conditions. Research on anion-exchange polymers (AEPs) has focusedon the cationic head/backbone/side-chain structures and key properties such as ionicconductivity and alkaline stability. Several approaches such as cross-linking microphase andorganic/inorganic composites have been proposed to improve the anion-exchangeperformance and the chemical and mechanical stability of AEMs. Numerous AEMs nowexceed values of 0.1 S/cm (at 60−80 °C) although the stability specifically at temperaturesexceeding 60 °C needs further enhancement. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is still alimiting factor. An analysis of thin-layer OER data suggests that NiFe-type catalysts have thehighest activity. There is debate on the active-site mechanism of the NiFe catalysts and their long-term stability needs to beunderstood. Addition of Co to NiFe increases the conductivity of these catalysts. The same analysis for the hydrogen evolutionreaction (HER) shows carbon-supported Pt to be dominating although PtNi alloys and clusters of Ni(OH) 2 on Pt show competitiveactivities. Recent advances in forming and embedding well-dispersed Ru nanoparticles on functionalized high-surface-area carbonsupports show promising HER activities. However the stability of these catalysts under actual AEMWE operating conditions needsto be proven. The field is advancing rapidly but could benefit through the adaptation of new in situ techniques standardizedevaluation protocols for AEMWE conditions and innovative catalyst-structure designs. Nevertheless single AEM water electrolyzercells have been operated for several thousand hours at temperatures and current densities as high as 60 °C and 1 A/cm 2 respectively.

The concept of sustainability and green energy has become increasingly relevant in our lives especially in the face of climate change and the growing demand for sustainable solutions in the energy sector. Driven by renewable energies there is a continuous effort to research and develop alternative energy sources and fuels. In this context the European Union (EU) Strategy for Hydrogen (H) has emerged placing this source as one of the central pillars in the fight against climate change. Hydrogen is seen as a potential fuel and energy source of the future. However in addition to political and structural challenges this new approach also faces significant technical obstacles. With the increase in population and human needs the need for energy continues to grow. The world population is projected to reach ten billion people by the year 2050 (Tarhan and Çil 2021). To meet this growing demand and promote a transition to clean energies many countries are incorporating renewable energy sources into their energy mix while still relying on fossil fuels. Developed countries are gradually reducing their use of fossil fuels in energy production. Considering that 80 per cent of our daily energy needs are still met by these sources the complete transition is complex and not immediate but it is an achievable goal.

We develop a bidding strategy for a hybrid power plant combining co-located wind turbines and an electrolyzer constructing a price-quantity bidding curve for the day-ahead electricity market while optimally scheduling hydrogen production. Without risk management single imbalance pricing leads to an all-or-nothing trading strategy which we term “betting”. To address this we propose a data-driven pragmatic approach that leverages contextual information to train linear decision policies for both power bidding and hydrogen scheduling. By introducing explicit risk constraints to limit imbalances we move from the all-or-nothing approach to a “trading” strategy where the plant diversifies its power trading decisions. We evaluate the model under three scenarios: when the plant is either conditionally allowed always allowed or not allowed to buy power from the grid which impacts the green certification of the hydrogen produced. Comparing our data-driven strategy with an oracle model that has perfect foresight we show that the risk-constrained data-driven approach delivers satisfactory performance.

To round off Season 5 the team are taking the podcast to COP28 in Dubai and providing listeners with a bit of texture including what the event was like to attend as well as sharing a snapshot of some of the varied voices and discussions that took place. Having had a little time for reflection Alicia Chris and Patrick also offer their thoughts and takeaways on what this COP might mean for the future.

COP28 was the first in nearly 30 years to feature hydrogen as part of the Presidential Action Agenda.

The podcast can be found on their website.

This review explores the current status of green hydrogen integration into energy and industrial ecosystems. By considering notable examples of existing and developing green hydrogen initiatives combined with insights from the relevant scientific literature this paper illustrates the practical implementation of those systems according to their main end use: power and heat generation mobility industry or their combination. Main patterns are highlighted in terms of sectoral applications geographical distribution development scales storage solutions electrolyzer technology grid interaction and financial viability. Open challenges are also addressed including the high production costs an underdeveloped transport and distribution infrastructure the geopolitical aspects and the weak business models with the industrial sector appearing as the most favorable environment where such challenges may first be overcome in the medium term.

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a clean energy vector and storage medium yet its viability and strategic role in the Western Balkans remain underexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive techno-economic environmental and strategic evaluation of hydrogen production pathways in Albania. Results show clear trade-offs across options. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is estimated at 8.76 €/kg H2 for grid-connected 7.75 €/kg H2 for solar and 7.66 €/kg H2 for wind electrolysis—values above EU averages and reliant on lower electricity costs and efficiency gains. In contrast fossil-based hydrogen via steam methane reforming (SMR) is cheaper at 3.45 €/kg H2 rising to 4.74 €/kg H2 with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Environmentally Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results show much lower Global Warming Potential.

Hydrogen energy is critical in replacing fossil fuels and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Three measures can be implemented to promote hydrogen energy: reduce the cost of low-carbon hydrogen through technological improvements increase the production capacity of low-carbon hydrogen by stimulating investment and enhance hydrogen use as an energy carrier and in industrial processes by demand-side policies. This article examines how effective these measures are if successfully implemented in boosting the hydrogen market and reducing global economy-wide carbon emissions using a global computable general equilibrium model. The results show that all the measures increase the production and use of low-carbon hydrogen whether implemented alone or jointly. Notably the emissions reduced by joint implementation of all the measures in 2050 become 2.5 times the sum of emissions reduced by individual implementation indicating a considerable multiplier effect. This suggests supply and demand side policies be implemented jointly to maximize their impact on reducing emissions.

Developing countries including Ghana face challenges ensuring access to clean and reliable cooking fuels and technologies. Traditional biomass sources mainly used in most developing countries for cooking contribute to deforestation and indoor air pollution necessitating a shift towards environmentally friendly alternatives. The study’s primary objective is to evaluate the economic viability of using solar PV-based green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for cooking in Ghana. The study adopted well-established equations to investigate the economic performance of the proposed system. The findings revealed that the levelized cost of hydrogen using the discounted cash flow approach is about 89% 155% and 190% more than electricity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and charcoal. This implies that using the hydrogen produced for cooking fuel is not cost-competitive compared to LPG charcoal and electricity. However with sufficient capital subsidies to lower the upfront costs the analysis suggests solar PV-based hydrogen could become an attractive alternative cooking fuel. In addition switching from firewood to solar PVbased hydrogen for cooking yields the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions savings across the cities analysed. Likewise replacing charcoal with hydrogen also offers substantial CO2 emissions savings though lower than switching from firewood. Correspondingly switching from LPG to hydrogen produces lower CO2 emissions savings than firewood and charcoal. The study findings could contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable energy solutions offering practical insights for policymakers researchers and industry stakeholders seeking to promote clean cooking adoption in developing economies.

Despite uncertainties surrounding the hydrogen economy’s emergence in terms of technological innovation production storage and transport policy and regulation economic viability and environmental impact coun tries worldwide actively pursue initiatives to engage in this critical energy transition. Politicians analysts and global experts see ‘clean’ hydrogen as the ultimate solution for addressing the climate crisis. This optimism is shared by several major oil and gas-exporting nations which are investing heavily in hydrogen infrastructure to establish themselves as future global hubs. Oman Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are especially well-positioned benefiting from strategic advantages over other hydrogen-producing regions in the Global South. Advocates in these countries view hydrogen as a potential ‘silver bullet’ for sustaining political and economic influence in a world increasingly shaped by climate constraints. Western technology and expertise play a significant role in supporting these efforts. By using various qualitative methods this paper employs and expand the concept of technopolitics to evaluate the role of industrialized nations in endorsing the Gulf states’ authoritarian top-down techno-optimistic approach to their sustainability agenda.

This report shows how the infrastructure that exists today can evolve from one based on the supply of fossil fuels to one providing the backbone of a clean hydrogen system. The ambitious government hydrogen targets across the UK will only be met with clarity focus and partnership. The gas networks are ready to play their part in the UK’s energy future. They have a plan know what is needed to deliver it and are taking the necessary steps to do just that.

Supporters of hydrogen energy urge scaling up technology and reducing costs for competitiveness. This paper explores how hydrogen energy technologies (HET) are perceived by Australia’s general population and considers the way members of the public imagine their role in the implementation of hydrogen energy now and into the future. The study combines a nationally representative survey (n = 403) and semi-structured interviews (n = 30). Results show age and gender relationships with self-reported hydrogen knowledge. Half of the participants obtained hydrogen information from televised media. Strong support was observed for renewable hydrogen while coal (26%) and natural gas (41%) versions had less backing. Participants sought more safety-related information (41% expressed concern). Most felt uncertain about influencing hydrogen decisions and did not necessarily recognise they had agency beyond their front fence. Exploring the link between political identity and agency in energy decision-making is needed with energy democracy a potentially productive direction.

As the global energy transition progresses a range of drivers and barriers will continue to shape consumer attitudes and behavioural intentions towards emerging low-carbon technologies. The innovation-decision process for technologies composing the residential sector such as hydrogen-fuelled heating and cooking appliances is inherently governed by the complex interplay between perceptual cognitive and emotional factors. In response this study responds to the call for an integrated research perspective to advance theoretical and empirical insights on consumer engagement in the domestic hydrogen transition. Drawing on online survey data collected in the United Kingdom where a policy decision on ‘hydrogen homes’ is set for 2026 this study systematically explores whether an integrated modelling approach supports higher levels of explanatory and predictive power. Leveraging the foundations of the unified theory of domestic hydrogen acceptance the analysis suggests that production perceptions public trust perceived relative advantage safety perceptions knowledge and awareness and positive emotions will shape consumer support for hydrogen homes. Conversely perceived disruptive impacts perceived socio-economic costs financial perceptions and negative emotions may impede the domestic hydrogen transition. Consumer acceptance stands to significantly shape deployment prospects for hydrogen boilers and hobs which are perceived to be somewhat advantageous to natural gas appliances from a technological and safety perspective. The study attests to the predictive benefits of adopting an integrated theoretical perspective when modelling the early stages of the innovation-decision process while acknowledging opportunities for leveraging innovative research approaches in the future. As national hydrogen economies gain traction adopting a neuroscience-based approach may help deepen scientific understanding regarding the neural psychological and emotional signatures shaping consumer perspectives towards hydrogen homes.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can support the development of sustainable and flexible energy systems. However decarbonization can occur when green sources are used for energy production and appropriate water use is manifested. This work aims to propose a socio-economic analysis of hydrogen production from an integrated wind and electrolysis plant in southern Italy. The estimated production amounts to about 1.8 million kg and the LCOH is calculated to be 3.60 €/kg in the base scenario. Analyses of the alternative scenarios allow us to observe that with a high probability the value ranges between 3.20-4.00 €/kg and that the capacity factor is the factor that most affects the economic results. Social analysis conducted through an online survey shows a strong knowledge gap as only 27.5% claim to know the difference between green and grey hydrogen. There is a slight propensity to install systems near their homes but this tends to increase due to increased knowledge on the topic. Respondents state sustainable behaviours and this study suggests that these aspects should also be transformed into the energy choices that are implemented every day. The study suggests information to policy-makers businesses and citizens as it outlines that green hydrogen is an operations strategy that moves toward sustainable development.

The article examines the role of green hydrogen in reducing CO2 emissions in the transition to climate neutrality highlighting both its benefits and challenges. It starts by discussing the production of green hydrogen from renewable sources and provides a brief analysis of primary resource structures for energy production in European countries including Romania. Despite progress there remains a significant reliance on fossil fuels in some countries. Economic technologies for green hydrogen production are explored with a note that its production alone does not solve all issues due to complex and costly compression and storage operations. The concept of impure green hydrogen derived from biomass gasification pyrolysis fermentation and wastewater purification is also discussed. Economic efficiency and future trends in green hydrogen production are outlined. The article concludes with an analysis of hydrogen-methane mixture combustion technologies offering a conceptual framework for economically utilizing green hydrogen in the transition to a green hydrogen economy.

: In remote areas or islands like Cyprus the isolated energy system high energy consumption in the transport sector and projected excess electricity production from solar sources create favourable conditions for establishing a hydrogen valley. But even after addressing technological managerial economic and financial challenges the success of a hydrogen valley hinges on the acceptance and engagement of the local population. The role of citizens is under-researched by academia and overlooked by policymakers. Our paper’s contribution is unique data from a purposefully developed survey of Cypriot residents. The findings reveal robust support for the renewable energy transition in principle with 90% expressing supportive views of which 57% ‘strongly support’ the transition and notably middle-aged more educated and fully employed individuals showing the strongest support. At the same time our results show that 62% are unfamiliar with the concept of a hydrogen economy. The promising finding is that 80% of citizens are ‘very likely’ (25%) or ‘somewhat likely’ (55%) to engage in discussions or activities related to the creation of a hydrogen valley in Cyprus. Gender differences in the willingness to engage are however evident: 32% of males indicated they are ‘very likely’ to participate versus 23% of females. We conclude that the prevailing citizen behaviour in Cyprus is “Seeking Information” and we make policy suggestions outlining the top ten engagement tools to foster awareness among the general population and the top ten strategies targeting active supporters of hydrogen in Cyprus to elevate their involvement to ‘Action’ and ‘Advocacy’ levels of engagement.

"The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies started researching the role of hydrogen in the energy transition in 2020.  Since then the interest in hydrogen has continued to grow globally across the energy industry. A key research question has been the extent to which clean hydrogen can be scaled up at reasonable cost and whether it can play a significant role in the global energy system. In April 2022 OIES launched a new Hydrogen Research Programme under the overarching theme of ’building business cases for a hydrogen economy’. This overarching theme was selected based on the observation that most clean hydrogen developments to date had been relatively small-scale pilot or demonstration projects typically funded by government grants or subsidies. For clean hydrogen to play a significant role there will need to be business cases developed in order to attract the many hundreds of billions of dollars of investment required  most of which will need to come from the private sector albeit ultimately underpinned by government-backed decarbonisation policies.  Just over a year has passed since the start of the Hydrogen Research Programme and the intention of this paper is to pull together key themes which have emerged from the research so far and which can form a useful framework for further research both by OIES and others.<br/>The six key themes in this paper listed below are intended to create a framework to at least start to address the challenges:<br/>Hydrogen is in competition with other decarbonisation alternatives.<br/>The business case for clean hydrogen relies on government policy to drive decarbonisation.<br/>It is essential to understand emissions associated with potential hydrogen investments.<br/>Hydrogen investments need to consider the full value chain and its geopolitics.<br/>Transport of hydrogen is expensive and so should be minimised.<br/>Storage of hydrogen is an essential part of the value chain and requires more focus.

The economies of fossil fuel exporters are threatened by global efforts to transition away from using unabated fossil fuels. Producing clean hydrogen for export or domestic use in manufacturing provides a potentially major opportunity to continue exploiting their fossil fuel resources. However the substantial uncertainties affecting the future of clean hydrogen make developing hydrogen strategies complex. This paper characterizes such uncertainties and conducts an initial assessment of possible investment risks and critical decisions associated with different strategies in the case of Qatar a leading exporter of natural gas. We find that strategies mostly focused on using clean hydrogen domestically to produce clean commodities are relatively low risk; inversely becoming a leading exporter of clean hydrogen substantially increases investment risks. Also irrespective of the strategy higher investment is required in the early years suggesting that once a strategy is chosen changing path may prove difficult.