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.



Link to Document

The Hydrogen Taskforce welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence to the Business Energy and

Industrial Strategy Committee’s inquiry into post-pandemic economic growth.

It is the Taskforce’s view that:

• Due to its various applications hydrogen is critical for the UK to reach net zero by 2050;
• The UK holds world-class advantages in hydrogen production distribution and application;
• Other economies are moving ahead in the development of this sector and the UK must respond;
• The post pandemic economic recovery planning should reflect the need to achieve deep decarbonisation and support wider objectives such as achieving net zero and levelling up the
• economy; and 
• The hydrogen sector is well-placed to play a key role in the UK’s economic recovery with the right policies and financial structures in place.

The Taskforce has defined a set of policy recommendations for Government which are designed to ensure that hydrogen can scale to meet the future demands of a net zero energy system:

• Development of a cross departmental UK Hydrogen Strategy within UK Government;
• Commit £1bn of capex funding over the next spending review period to hydrogen production storage and distribution projects;
• Develop a financial support scheme for the production of hydrogen in blending industry power and transport;
• Amend Gas Safety Management Regulations (GSMR) to enable hydrogen blending and take the next steps towards 100 per cent hydrogen heating through supporting public trials and
• mandating 100 per cent hydrogen-ready boilers by 2025; and
• Commit to the support of 100 Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) by 2025 to support the rollout of hydrogen transport.

You can download the whole document from the Hydrogen Taskforce website here

Energy from hydrogen is an appropriate technological choice in the context of sustainable development. The opportunities offered by the use of energy from hydrogen also represent a significant challenge for mobile technologies and daily life. Nevertheless despite a significant amount of research and information regarding the benefits of hydrogen energy it creates considerable controversy in many countries. Globally there is a lack of understanding about the production process of hydrogen energy and the benefits it provides which leads to concerns regarding the consistency of its use. In this study an original questionnaire was used as a research tool to determine the opinions of inhabitants of countries in which hydrogen energy is underutilized and where the infrastructure for hydrogen energy is underdeveloped. Respondents presented their attitude to ecology and indicated their knowledge regarding the operation of hydrogen energy and the use of hydrogen fuel. The results indicate that society is not convinced that the safety levels for energy derived from hydrogen are adequate. It can be concluded that knowledge about hydrogen as an energy source and the production safety and storage methods of hydrogen is very low. Negative attitudes to hydrogen energy can be an important barrier in the development of this energy in many countries.

Seizing the clean growth opportunity. The move to cleaner economic growth is one of the greatest industrial opportunities of our time. This Strategy will ensure Britain is ready to seize that opportunity. Our modern Industrial Strategy is about increasing the earning power of people in every part of the country. We need to do that while not just protecting but improving the environment on which our economic success depends. In short we need higher growth with lower carbon emissions. This approach is at the heart of our Strategy for clean growth. The opportunity for people and business across the country is huge. The low carbon economy could grow 11 per cent per year between 2015 and 2030 four times faster than the projected growth of the economy as a whole. This is spread across a large number of sectors: from low cost low carbon power generators to more efficient farms; from innovators creating better batteries to the factories putting them in less polluting cars; from builders improving our homes so they are cheaper to run to helping businesses become more productive. This growth will not just be seen in the UK. Following the success of the Paris Agreement where Britain played such an important role in securing the landmark deal the transition to a global low carbon economy is gathering momentum. We want the UK to capture every economic opportunity it can from this global shift in technologies and services.<br/>Our approach to clean growth is an important element of our modern Industrial Strategy: building on the UK’s strengths; improving productivity across the country; and ensuring we are the best place for innovators and new businesses to start up and grow. A good example of this is offshore wind where costs have halved in just a few years. A combination of sustained commitment – across different Governments – and targeted public sector innovation support harnessing the expertise of UK engineers working in offshore conditions and private sector ingenuity has created the conditions for a new industry to flourish while cutting emissions. We need to replicate this success in sectors across our economy. This Strategy delivers on the challenge that Britain embraced when Parliament passed the Climate Change Act. If we get it right we will not just deliver reduced emissions but also cleaner air lower energy bills for households and businesses an enhanced natural environment good jobs and industrial opportunity. It is an opportunity we will seize.

COVID-19 has led to a global crisis threatening the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable by increasing poverty exacerbating inequalities and damaging long-term economic growth prospects. The report Are We Building Back Better? Evidence from 2020 and Pathways for Inclusive Green Recovery Spending provides an analysis of over 3500 fiscal policies announced by leading economies in 2020 and calls for governments to invest more sustainably and tackle inequalities as they stimulate growth in the wake of the devastation wrought by the pandemic.

Our mission is to put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emission vehicles and for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040. As set out in the NO2 plan we will end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040. By then we expect the majority of new cars and vans sold to be 100% zero emission and all new cars and vans to have significant zero emission capability. By 2050 we want almost every car and van to be zero emission. We want to see at least 50% and as many as 70% of new car sales and up to 40% of new van sales being ultra low emission by 2030.<br/>We expect this transition to be industry and consumer led supported in the coming years by the measures set out in this strategy. We will review progress towards our ambitions by 2025. Against a rapidly evolving international context we will seek to maintain the UK’s leadership position and meet our ambitions and will consider what interventions are required if not enough progress is being made.

Deployment and investments in hydrogen have accelerated rapidly in response to government commitments to deep decarbonisation establishing hydrogen as a key component in the energy transition.

To help guide regulators decision-makers and investors the Hydrogen Council collaborated with McKinsey & Company to release the report ‘Hydrogen Insights 2021: A Perspective on Hydrogen Investment Deployment and Cost Competitiveness’. The report offers a comprehensive perspective on market deployment around the world investment momentum as well as implications on cost competitiveness of hydrogen solutions.

The document can be downloaded from their website

Low-cost solar photovoltaics and wind offer a reliable and affordable pathway to deep decarbonization of energy which accounts for three quarters of global emissions. However large-scale deployment of solar photovoltaics and wind requires space and may be challenging for countries with dense population and high per capita energy consumption. This study investigates the future role of renewable energy in Japan as a case study. A 40-year hourly energy balance model is presented of a hypothetical 100% renewable Japanese electricity system using representative demand data and historical meteorological data. Pumped hydro energy storage high voltage interconnection and dispatchable capacity (existing hydro and biomass and hydrogen energy produced from curtailed electricity) are included to balance variable generation and demand. Differential evolution is used to find the least-cost solution under various constraints. This study shows that Japan has 14 times more solar and offshore wind resources than needed to supply 100% renewable electricity and vast capacity for off-river pumped hydro energy storage. Assuming significant cost reductions of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind towards global norms in the coming decades driven by large-scale deployment locally and global convergence of renewable generation costs the levelized cost of electricity is found to be US$86/Megawatt-hour for a solar-dominated system and US$110/Megawatt-hour for a wind-dominated system. These costs can be compared with 2020 average system prices on the spot market in Japan of US$102/Megawatt-hour. Cost of balancing 100% renewable electricity in Japan ranges between US$20–27/Megawatt-hour for a range of scenarios. In summary Japan can be self-sufficient for electricity supply at competitive costs provided that the barriers to the mass deployment of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind in Japan are overcome.

Scotland’s Achievements and Ambitions for Clean Hydrogen - a joint webinar between the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association and the Pipeline Industries Guild (Scottish branch).

 

Nigel Holmes. CEO Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association provides an update on Scotland’s ambitions backed up by progress in key areas. This will show the potential for hydrogen at scale to support the delivery of policy targets highlighting areas of key strengths for Scotland.



You will also hear about the need to build up scale for hydrogen production and supply in tandem with hydrogen pipeline and distribution networks in order to meet demand for low carbon energy and achieve key milestones on the pathway to Net Zero by 2045.

Since early 2020 Turkey has been considering the role of hydrogen in its energy future with a view to producing a hydrogen strategy in the next few months.  Unlike many other countries considering the role of hydrogen Turkey has only recently (October 2021) ratified the Paris Agreement addressing climate change and its interest is driven more by geopolitical strategic and energy security concerns.   Specifically with concerns about the high share of imported energy particularly gas from Russia it sees hydrogen as part of a policy to increase indigenous energy production.   Turkey already has a relatively high share of renewable power generation particularly hydro and recent solar auctions have resulted in low prices leading to a focus on potential green hydrogen production.  However it still generates over half of its electricity from fossil fuel including over 25% from coal and lignite.  Against that background it provides an interesting case study on some of the key aspects that a country needs to consider when looking to incorporate low-carbon hydrogen into the development of their energy economy.

The research paper can be found on their website

For more than a century our nation’s brightest minds have been working on the technology to turn the invisible promise of hydrogen into tangible solutions. Canadian ingenuity and innovation has once again brought us to a pivotal moment. As we rebuild our economy from the impacts of COVID-19 and fight the existential threat of climate change the development of low-carbon hydrogen is a strategic priority for Canada. The time to act is now.<br/>The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada lays out an ambitious framework for actions that will cement hydrogen as a tool to achieve our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and position Canada as a global industrial leader of clean renewable fuels. This strategy shows us that by 2050 clean hydrogen can help us achieve our net-zero goal—all while creating jobs growing our economy and protecting our environment. This will involve switching from conventional gasoline diesel and natural gas to zero-emissions fuel sources taking advantage of new regulatory environments and embracing new technologies to give Canadians more choice of zero emission alternatives.<br/>As one of the top 10 hydrogen producers in the world today we are rich in the feedstocks that produce hydrogen. We are blessed with a strong energy sector and the geographic assets that will propel Canada to be a major exporter of hydrogen and hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen might be nature’s smallest molecule but its potential is enormous. It provides new markets for our conventional energy resources and holds the potential to decarbonize many sectors of our economy including resource extraction freight transportation power generation manufacturing and the production of steel and cement. This Strategy is a call to action. It will spur investments and strategic partnerships across the country and beyond our borders. It will position Canada to seize economic and environmental opportunities that exist coast to coast. Expanding our exports. Creating as many as 350000 good green jobs over the next three decades. All while dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. And putting a net-zero future within our reach.<br/>The importance of Canada’s resource industries and our clean technology sectors has been magnified during the pandemic. We must harness our combined will expertise and financial resources to fully seize the opportunities that hydrogen presents. This strategy is the product of three years of study and analysis including extensive engagement sessions where we heard from more than 1500 of our country’s leading experts and stakeholders. But its release is not the end of a process. This is only the beginning. Together we will use this Strategy to guide our actions and investments. By working with provinces and territories Indigenous partners and the private-sector and by leveraging our many advantages we will create the prosperity we all want protect the planet we all cherish and we will ensure we leave no one behind.

HSE maintains a national network of doctors appointed doctors and approved medical examiners of divers who are appointed to deliver certain vital functions under our regulatory framework.1 Over the last year or so we have been reaching out to them and offering training and networking opportunities so that we can learn from each other. Their intelligence from real workplaces helps ensure that our medical approach is grounded by what actually happens and this helped us ensure that our health and work strategy took account of their views. I think that it is increasingly important to share our approaches and our  research outcomes on the global stage in an attempt to learn from other researchers around the world. A good example is the work described in this report on the artificial stone issue. I have been lucky enough to work with the Australian research group who identified an epidemic of silicosis from this exposure in their country and helped to facilitate some cross-comparison of materials with our hygienists and measurement scientists. The dialogue continues and I hope that by doing so we can help to prevent such an epidemic from occurring in the UK.<br/>All HSE research findings are published as soon as we are able to do this and this demonstrates both my and Andrew Curran’s commitment to ensure that we publish the evidence we generate to make workplaces healthier for all.

Hydrogen solutions have a critical role to play in the UK not only in helping the nation meet its net-zero target but in creating the economic growth and jobs that will kickstart the green recovery.

The Government must act now to ensure that the UK capitalises on the opportunity presented by hydrogen and builds a world-leading industry.

COVID-19 has caused significant economic upheaval across the country with unemployment expected to reach up to 14.8 per cent by the end of 20201. The UK must identify those areas of the economy which have significant economic growth potential and can deliver long-term and sustainable increases in GVA and jobs. It will be important to consider regional factors and ensure that investment is targeted in those areas that have been hardest hit by the crisis.

Many major economies have identified hydrogen as a key part of both decarbonisation and economic recovery. As part of its stimulus package Germany announced a €9billion investment in green hydrogen solutions aiming to deploy 5GW by 2030. The Hydrogen Council estimates a future hydrogen and equipment market worth $2.5 trillion globally by 2050 supporting 30 million new jobs.

Hydrogen offers the UK a pathway to deep cost-effective decarbonisation while delivering economic growth and job creation. It should therefore be at the heart of the Government’s green recovery programme ensuring that the UK builds back better and greener.

• Economic Impact Assessment Summary 
• Economic impact Assessment Methodology
• Economic impact Assessment of the Hydrogen Value Chain of the UK infographic
• Imperial College Consultants Review of the EIA.

Through its “Reducing Carbon whilst Creating Social Value: How to get Started’ initiative Welsh Government is keen to explore whether a ‘circular economy’ (and industry) could be developed for Wales for CO2.<br/>Although most companies have targets to reduce their CO2 by 2030 Wales does not have the space to store or bury any excess with the current choice to ship or ‘move the problem’ elsewhere. Meanwhile other industry sectors in Wales are experiencing shortages of CO2 e.g. food production.<br/>Net Zero commitments will require dealing with CO2 emissions from agricultural and industrial sectors and from the production of blue and grey hydrogen during the transition time of switching to green hydrogen. Sequestration and shipping off of CO2 could be costly are not currently possible at large scale and are not sustainable. The use of CO2 by industry e.g. in construction materials and in food production processes can play a major role in addressing CO2 waste production from grey and blue hydrogen.<br/>In a Cradle-to-Cradle approach everything has a use. Is Wales missing out on creating and developing a new innovative industry around a CO2 circular economy?

Long-term power market outlooks suggest a rapid increase in renewable energy deployment as a main solution to greenhouse gas mitigation in the Northern European energy system. However the consequential area requirement is a non-techno-economic aspect that currently is omitted by many energy system optimization models. This study applies modeling to generate alternatives (MGA) technique to the Balmorel energy system model to address spatial conflicts related to increased renewable energy deployment. The approach searches for alternative solutions that minimize land-use conflicts while meeting the low-carbon target by allowing a 1% to 15% increase in system costs compared to the least-cost solution. Two alternative objectives are defined to reflect various aspects of spatial impact. The results show that the least-cost solution requires 1.2%–3.6% of the land in the modeled countries in 2040 for onshore wind and solar PV installations. A 10% increase in costs can reduce the required land area by 58% by relying more on offshore wind. Nuclear energy may also be an option if both onshore and offshore areas are to be reduced or in a less flexible system. Both offshore wind and nuclear energy technologies are associated with higher risks and pose uncertainties in terms of reaching the climate targets in time. The changes in costs and required land areas imply significantly higher annual costs ranging from 200 to 750 kEUR/km2 to avoid land use for energy infrastructure. Overall this study confirms that the energy transition strategies prioritizing land savings from energy infrastructure are feasible but high risks and costs of averted land are involved.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges faced by hydrocarbon exporters in the Gulf owing to the global push to transition to cleaner energy sources.  In this podcast Manal Shehabi (OIES) discusses with David Ledesma a recent OIES-KFAS workshop held in April 2021 titled “Energy Transition Post-Pandemic in the Gulf States” held with support from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).  They discuss separate but interrelated issues on clean energy economic and climate sustainability and hydrogen.  Specially they examine how the global energy transition outlook has changed post-pandemic along with its impacts on Gulf States’ economies and energy transition projects.  They explain implications to Gulf states’ sustainability evaluating whether these countries are fiscally sustainable post-pandemic and their urgent need for energy and economic diversification.  They focus in on the possibility of the Gulf States’ using hydrogen to diversify both in domestic and export markets evaluating opportunities and challenges for both blue and green hydrogen.  A preliminary case study on the economics of hydrogen in Kuwait is highlighted as indication of whether Gulf states can produce green hydrogen competitively.  They conclude with policy recommendations to increase economic sustainability and resilience post-pandemic both through the energy transition and responses to it.

The podcast can be found on their website