Policy & Socio-Economics
Living Carbon Free – Exploring What a Net-zero Target Means for Households
Jun 2019
Publication
The Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) explored the role of households in a net-zero emissions society to accompany the CCC’s Net Zero report looking at opportunities and challenges for households to reduce emissions from today’s levels and to support the stretch from an 80% emissions reduction to a net-zero greenhouse gas target. As well as describing a net-zero emissions world for households of different types the ESC looked at average household emissions under different decarbonisation scenarios and the options households can take to contribute to the decarbonisation effort.
This supported the Net Zero Technical report.
This supported the Net Zero Technical report.
The Pathway to Net Zero Heating in the UK: A UKERC Policy Brief
Oct 2020
Publication
There is uncertainty over how heating might practically be decarbonised in the future. This briefing provides some clarity about the possible pathways forward focusing on the next 5-10 years.<br/>Meeting the UK government’s net zero emissions goal for 2050 will only be possible by complete decarbonisation of the building stock (both existing and new). There is uncertainty over the extent to which heating might practically be decarbonised in the future and what the optimal technologies may be. This paper provides some clarity about the pathways forward focusing on the next 5-10 years.
Energy Innovation Needs Assessment: Road Transport
Nov 2019
Publication
The Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA) aims to identify the key innovation needs across the UK’s energy system to inform the prioritisation of public sector investment in low-carbon innovation. Using an analytical methodology developed by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) the EINA takes a system level approach and values innovations in a technology in terms of the system-level benefits a technology innovation provides. This whole system modelling in line with BEIS’s EINA methodology was delivered by the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) using the Energy System Modelling Environment (ESMETM) as the primary modelling tool.
To support the overall prioritisation of innovation activity the EINA process analyses key technologies in more detail. These technologies are grouped together into sub-themes according to the primary role they fulfil in the energy system. For key technologies within a sub-theme innovations and business opportunities are identified. The main findings at the technology level are summarised in sub-theme reports. An overview report will combine the findings from each sub-theme to provide a broad system-level perspective and prioritisation.
This EINA analysis is based on a combination of desk research by a consortium of economic and engineering consultants and stakeholder engagement. The prioritisation of innovation and business opportunities presented is informed by a workshop organised for each sub-theme assembling key stakeholders from the academic community industry and government.
This report was commissioned prior to advice being received from the CCC on meeting a net zero target and reflects priorities to meet the previous 80% target in 2050. The newly legislated net zero target is not expected to change the set of innovation priorities rather it will make them all more valuable overall. Further work is required to assess detailed implications.
To support the overall prioritisation of innovation activity the EINA process analyses key technologies in more detail. These technologies are grouped together into sub-themes according to the primary role they fulfil in the energy system. For key technologies within a sub-theme innovations and business opportunities are identified. The main findings at the technology level are summarised in sub-theme reports. An overview report will combine the findings from each sub-theme to provide a broad system-level perspective and prioritisation.
This EINA analysis is based on a combination of desk research by a consortium of economic and engineering consultants and stakeholder engagement. The prioritisation of innovation and business opportunities presented is informed by a workshop organised for each sub-theme assembling key stakeholders from the academic community industry and government.
This report was commissioned prior to advice being received from the CCC on meeting a net zero target and reflects priorities to meet the previous 80% target in 2050. The newly legislated net zero target is not expected to change the set of innovation priorities rather it will make them all more valuable overall. Further work is required to assess detailed implications.
Clean Hydrogen Monitor
Oct 2020
Publication
It’s the first of its kind overview showing the state of play with regards to hydrogen technologies in Europe. On an annual basis there will be an update serving as a basis for your investment or political decisions.<br/><br/>OUR MISSION IS – NO EMISSION!<br/>From day 1 Hydrogen Europe promoted clean hydrogen and clean hydrogen technologies as enablers of a decarbonised energy system. We strongly support the adoption of very ambitious climate targets for 2030 and the objective of carbon neutrality in the EU by 2050. Clean hydrogen can help to realise this transition of our energy system in multiple sectors from energy production storage and distribution to end-uses in transport industry heating and others.<br/><br/>CLEAN HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES CAN AND WILL REPLACE<br/>not just fossil-based hydrogen in current (industrial) uses but also other fossil-based energies such as petrol diesel and hydrocarbon fuels in the transport sector coal /coke in the steel sector natural gas in the heating sector and other polluting and emitting fuels and feedstocks. <br/><br/>WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SYSTEMIC CHANGE.<br/>The use of clean hydrogen needs adaptations in production schemes in the infrastructure and in the deployment of hydrogen by the end users. This cannot – of course –be done in a day. Yet we should not wait for the implementation of the different hydrogen strategies on private municipal regional national or European level until other geographies worldwide race ahead.<br/><br/>
The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution: Building Back Better, Supporting Green Jobs, and Accelerating Our Path to Net Zero
Nov 2020
Publication
As the world looks to recover from the impact of coronavirus on our lives livelihoods and economies we have the chance to build back better: to invest in making the UK a global leader in green technologies.
The plan focuses on increasing ambition in the following areas:
The plan focuses on increasing ambition in the following areas:
- advancing offshore wind
- driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen
- delivering new and advanced nuclear power
- accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles
- green public transport cycling and walking
- ‘jet zero’ and green ships
- greener buildings
- investing in carbon capture usage and storage
- protecting our natural environment
- green finance and innovation
World Energy Issues Monitor 2021: Humanising Energy
Mar 2021
Publication
Based on data collection carried out between October and December 2020 and the testing of emerging findings with the Council’s regional communities during a series of digital workshops held during February 2021 the report has shown
- Energy leaders’ perceptions of areas of risk opportunity and priorities for action have radically changed over the last 12 months. While economic turbulence stemming from the ongoing reverberations of COVID-19 is the biggest area of uncertainty with uncertainty around economic trends increasing by a third over the previous year there is also a growing focus on the social agenda associated with a faster paced energy transition.
- There is an increased awareness of the societal and human impact of both recovery and the wider energy transition. The issue of energy affordability has rapidly risen up the industry’s priority list with its impact and uncertainty perceived 20% larger than a year ago. Energy affordability affects society across all geographies ranging from city dwellers in developed countries to the rural poor in developing ones.
- The emergence of a new generation of digital energy services and energy entrepreneurs. Increasingly agile disruptive technologies have taken advantage of the social upheaval to gain market share at the expense of supply-centric energy solutions. There is a growing focus on customer-centric demand-driven solutions and fast changing patterns of global and local demand.
Modeling and Economic Operation of Energy Hub Considering Energy Market Price and Demand
Feb 2022
Publication
This paper discusses the economic operation strategy of the energy hub which is being established in South Korea. The energy hub has five energy conversion devices: a turbo expander generator a normal fuel cell a fuel cell with a hydrogen outlet a small-scale combined heat and power device and a photovoltaic device. We are developing the most economically beneficial operation strategy for the operators who own the hub without making any systematic improvements to the energy market. First sixteen conversion efficiency matrices can be achieved by turning each device (except the PV) on or off. Next even the same energy must be divided into different energy flows according to price. The energy flow is controlled to obtain the maximum profit considering the internal load of the energy hub and the price fluctuations of the energy market. Using our operating strategy the return on investment period is approximately 9.9 years which is three years shorter than that without the operating strategy.
People’s Attitude to Energy from Hydrogen—From the Point of View of Modern Energy Technologies and Social Responsibility
Dec 2020
Publication
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.
Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Africa and its Regions
Jan 2022
Publication
An energy system centred on renewable energy can help resolve many of Africa’s social economic health and environmental challenges. A profound energy transition is not only feasible it is essential for a climate-safe future in which sustainable development prerogatives are met. Renewables are key to overcoming energy poverty providing needed energy services without damaging human health or ecosystems and enabling a transformation of economies in support of development and industrialisation.
Africa is extraordinarily diverse and no single approach will advance its energy future. But efforts must be made to build modern resilient and sustainable energy systems across the continent to avoid trapping economies and societies in increasingly obsolete energy systems that burden them with stranded assets and limited economic prospects.
This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) sets out the opportunities at hand while also acknowledging the challenges Africa faces. It lays out a pathway to a renewables-based energy system and shows that the transition promises substantial gains in GDP employment and human welfare in each region of the continent.
Among the findings:
A large part of Africa has so far been left out of the energy transition:
Africa is extraordinarily diverse and no single approach will advance its energy future. But efforts must be made to build modern resilient and sustainable energy systems across the continent to avoid trapping economies and societies in increasingly obsolete energy systems that burden them with stranded assets and limited economic prospects.
This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) sets out the opportunities at hand while also acknowledging the challenges Africa faces. It lays out a pathway to a renewables-based energy system and shows that the transition promises substantial gains in GDP employment and human welfare in each region of the continent.
Among the findings:
A large part of Africa has so far been left out of the energy transition:
- Only 2% of global investments in renewable energy in the last two decades were made in Africa with significant regional disparities
- Less than 3% of global renewables jobs are in Africa
- In Sub-Saharan Africa electrification rate was static at 46% in 2019 with 906 million people still lacking access to clean cooking fuels and technologies
- Africa has vast resource potential in wind solar hydro and geothermal energy and falling costs are increasingly bringing renewables within reach
- Central and Southern Africa have abundant mineral resources essential to the production of electric batteries wind turbines and other low-carbon technologies
- Renewable energy deployment has grown in the last decade with more than 26 GW of renewables-based generation capacity added. The largest additions were in solar energy
- Average annual investments in renewable energy grew ten-fold from less than USD 0.5 billion in the 2000-2009 period to USD 5 billion in 2010-2020
- Distributed renewable energy solutions including stand-alone systems and mini-grids are playing a steadily growing role in expanding electricity access in off-grid areas and strengthening supply in already connected areas
- The energy transition under IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario pathway predicts 6.4% higher GDP 3.5% higher economy-wide jobs and a 25.4% higher welfare index than that realised under current plans on average up to 2050
- Jobs created in the renewable energy transition will outweigh those lost by moving away from traditional energy. Every million U.S. dollars invested in renewables between 2020 – 2050 would create at least 26 job-years; for every million invested in energy efficiency at least 22 job-years would be created annually; for energy flexibility the figure is 18
- A comprehensive policy package that combines the pursuit of climate and environmental goals; economic development and jobs creation; and social equity and welfare for society as a whole
- Strong institutions international co-operation (including South- South co-operation) and considerable co-ordination at the regional level
FCH Programme Review Report 2014
Apr 2015
Publication
The 2014 Review is the fourth review of the FCH JU project portfolio. The reviews began in 2011 following a recommendation arising from the interim evaluation of the FCH JU which identified the need to ensure that the FCH JU project portfolio as a whole fulfilled the objectives of the Multi-Annual Implementation or Work Plan.<br/><br/>An international team of leading experts in the FCH field undertakes each review based on (1) The achievements of the portfolio against the strategic objectives and content of the FCH JU’s MAIP/MAWP and the AIP/AWPs as set out for the transportation and energy innovation pillars and the cross-cutting category; (2) The extent to which the portfolio meets the FCH JU’s remit for promoting the horizontal activities of RCS PNR safety life-cycle and socio-economic analysis education and training and public awareness; (3) The portfolio’s effectiveness in promoting linkages and co-operation between projects and between FCH JU-supported projects and those supported by other European instruments the Member States and internationally. Review panels The 2014 review comprised six panels covering a total of 114 projects. Each panel covered between 10 and 24 projects as shown in Table 1 below. The objective was to assess projects within each panel as a sub-portfolio (within the FCH JU portfolio) and not as individual projects although examples of individual projects representing good practice were highlighted.
Hydrogen Strategy for Canada: Seizing the Opportunities for Hydrogen - A Call to Action
Dec 2020
Publication
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.
Mind the Gap—A Socio-Economic Analysis on Price Developments of Green Hydrogen, Synthetic Fuels, and Conventional Energy Carriers in Germany
May 2022
Publication
In recent years the development of energy prices in Germany has been frequently accompanied by criticism and warnings of socio-economic disruptions. Especially with respect to the electricity sector the debate on increasing energy bills was strongly correlated with the energy system transition. However whereas fossil fuels have rapidly increased in price recently renewable substitutes such as green hydrogen and synthetic fuels also enter the markets at comparatively high prices. On the other hand the present fossil fuel supply is still considered too low-priced by experts because societal greenhouse gas-induced environmental impact costs are not yet compensated. In this study we investigate the development of the price gap between conventional energy carriers and their renewable substitutes until 2050 as well as a suitable benchmark price incorporating the societal costs of specific energy carriers. The calculated benchmark prices for natural gas (6.3 ct kWh−1 ) petrol (9.9 ct kWh−1 ) and grey hydrogen from steam methane reformation (12 ct kWh−1 ) are nearly 300% above the actual prices for industry customers in 2020 but below the price peaks of early 2022. In addition the price gap between conventional fuels and green hydrogen will be completely closed before 2050 for all investigated energy carriers. Furthermore prognosed future price developments can be considered rather moderate compared to historic and especially to the recent price dynamics in real terms. A gradual implementation of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels next to increasing CO2 prices however may temporarily lead to further increasing expenses for energy but can achieve lower price levels comparable to those of 2020 in the long term.
A Perspective on Hydrogen Investment, Deployment and Cost Competitiveness
Feb 2021
Publication
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
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
Decarbonization Roadmaps for ASEAN and their Implications
Apr 2022
Publication
The objective of this paper is to derive for the first time decarbonization roadmaps for the ten nations of ASEAN. This study first presents a regional view of ASEAN’s fossil and renewable energy usage and energy-related CO2 emission. Results show that renewable energies have been losing ground to fossil energies in the last two decades and fossil fuels will likely continue to be an important part of ASEAN’s energy mix for the next few decades. Therefore decarbonizing efforts should focus not only on increasing the share of renewable energies in electricity generation but also on technologies to reduce CO2 emission from fossil power and industrial plants. This study next performs a technology mapping exercise for all ten ASEAN countries to determine decarbonization technologies that have high impact and high readiness for individual countries. Besides installing more sustainable renewable energies common themes coming from these roadmaps include switching from coal to gas for power generation using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to decarbonize fossil and industrial plants replacing internal combustion vehicles by electric vehicles and for countries that have coal and natural gas resources upgrading them to blue hydrogen by chemical processes and using CCS to mitigate the emitted CO2. Blue hydrogen can be used to decarbonize hard-to-decarbonize industries. Policy implications of these roadmaps include imposing a credible carbon tax establishing a national hydrogen strategy intergovernmental coordination to establish regional CCS corridors funding research and development to improve carbon capture efficiency on a plant level and resolving sustainability issues of hydropower and bioenergy in ASEAN.
The Future Potential Hydrogen Demand in Energy-intensive Industries - A Site-specific Approach Applied to Germany
Dec 2021
Publication
Hydrogen when based on renewable electricity can play a key role in the transition towards CO2-neutral industrial production since its use as an energy carrier as well as a feedstock in various industrial process routes is promising. At the same time a large-scale roll-out of hydrogen for industrial use would entail substantial impacts on the energy system which can only be assessed if the regional distribution of future hydrogen demand is considered. Here we assess the technical potential of hydrogen-based technologies for energy-intensive industries in Germany. The site-specific and process-specific bottom-up calculation considers 615 individual plants at 367 sites and results in a total potential hydrogen demand of 326 TWh/a. The results are available as an open dataset. Using hydrogen for non-energy-intensive sectors as well increases the potential hydrogen demand to between 482 and 534 TWh/a for Germany - based on today’s industrial structure and production output. This assumes that fossil fuels are almost completely replaced by hydrogen for process heating and feedstocks. The resulting hydrogen demand is very unevenly distributed: a few sites account for the majority of the overall potential and similarly the bulk of demand is concentrated in a few regions with steel and chemical clusters.
A Comparative Review of Alternative Fuels for the Maritime Sector: Economic, Technology, and Policy Challenges for Clean Energy Implementation
Oct 2021
Publication
Global maritime transportation is responsible for around 3% of total anthropogenic green‐ house gas emissions and significant proportions of SOx NOx and PM emissions. Considering the predicted growth in shipping volumes to 2050 greenhouse gas emissions from ships must be cut by 75–85% per ton‐mile to meet Paris Agreement goals. This study reviews the potential of a range of alternative fuels for decarbonisation in maritime. A systematic literature review and information synthesis method was applied to evaluate fuel characteristics production pathways utilization technologies energy efficiency lifecycle environmental performance economic viability and cur‐ rent applicable policies. Alternative fuels are essential to decarbonisation in international shipping. However findings suggest there is no single route to deliver the required greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Emissions reductions vary widely depending on the production pathways of the fuel. Alternative fuels utilising a carbon‐intensive production pathway will not provide decarbonisation instead shifting emissions elsewhere in the supply chain. Ultimately a system‐wide perspective to creating an effective policy framework is required in order to promote the adoption of alternative propulsion technologies.
How Hydrogen Can Help Decarbonise the Maritime Sector
Jun 2021
Publication
Hydrogen Europe is the organisation representing the interests of the European hydrogen industry. It fully adheres to the European Union’s target of climate neutrality by 2050 and supports the European Commission’s objectives to develop and integrate more renewable energy sources into the European energy mix.<br/><br/>In December 2015 in Paris a global climate agreement was reached at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21). The Paris Agreement is seen as a historic and landmark instrument in climate action. However the agreement is lacking emphasis on international maritime transport and the role that this sector will need to play in contributing to the decarbonisation of the global economy and in striving for a clean planet for all.<br/><br/>Hydrogen hydrogen-based fuels (such as ammonia) and hydrogen technologies offer tremendous potential for the maritime sector<br/>and if properly harnessed can significantly contribute to the decarbonisation and also mitigate the air pollution of the worldwide fleet. Hydrogen Europe will be the catalyst in this process the decarbonisation and also mitigate the air pollution of the worldwide fleet. Hydrogen Europe will be the catalyst in this process.<br/><br/>The pathway towards hydrogen and hydrogenbased fuels for the maritime sector does not come without technological and commercial challenges let alone regulatory barriers.
Hydrogen Economy Outlook
Mar 2020
Publication
The falling cost of making hydrogen from wind and solar power offers a promising route to cutting emissions in some of the most fossil fuel dependent sectors of the economy such as steel heavy-duty vehicles shipping and cement.
Hydrogen Economy Outlook a new and independent global study from research firm BloombergNEF (BNEF) finds that clean hydrogen could be deployed in the decades to come to cut up to 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and industry – at a manageable cost. However this will only be possible if policies are put in place to help scale up technology and drive down costs.
The report’s findings suggest that renewable hydrogen could be produced for $0.8 to $1.6/kg in most parts of the world before 2050. This is equivalent to gas priced at $6-12/MMBtu making it competitive with current natural gas prices in Brazil China India Germany and Scandinavia on an energy-equivalent basis. When including the cost of storage and pipeline infrastructure the delivered cost of renewable hydrogen in China India and Western Europe could fall to around $2/kg ($15/MMBtu) in 2030 and $1/kg ($7.4/MMBtu) in 2050.
Kobad Bhavnagri head of industrial decarbonization for BNEF and lead author of the report said: “Hydrogen has potential to become the fuel that powers a clean economy. In the years ahead it will be possible to produce it at low cost using wind and solar power to store it underground for months and then to pipe it on-demand to power everything from ships to steel mills.”
Hydrogen is a clean-burning molecule that can be used as a substitute for coal oil and gas in a large variety of applications. But for its use to have net environmental benefits it must be produced from clean sources rather than from unabated fossil fuel processes – the usual method at present.
Renewable hydrogen can be made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated by cheap wind or solar power. The cost of the electrolyzer technology to do this has fallen by 40% in the last five years and can continue to slide if deployment increases. Clean hydrogen can also be made using fossil fuels if the carbon is captured and stored but this is likely to be more expensive the report finds.
Read the full report on the BloombergNEF website here
Hydrogen Economy Outlook a new and independent global study from research firm BloombergNEF (BNEF) finds that clean hydrogen could be deployed in the decades to come to cut up to 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and industry – at a manageable cost. However this will only be possible if policies are put in place to help scale up technology and drive down costs.
The report’s findings suggest that renewable hydrogen could be produced for $0.8 to $1.6/kg in most parts of the world before 2050. This is equivalent to gas priced at $6-12/MMBtu making it competitive with current natural gas prices in Brazil China India Germany and Scandinavia on an energy-equivalent basis. When including the cost of storage and pipeline infrastructure the delivered cost of renewable hydrogen in China India and Western Europe could fall to around $2/kg ($15/MMBtu) in 2030 and $1/kg ($7.4/MMBtu) in 2050.
Kobad Bhavnagri head of industrial decarbonization for BNEF and lead author of the report said: “Hydrogen has potential to become the fuel that powers a clean economy. In the years ahead it will be possible to produce it at low cost using wind and solar power to store it underground for months and then to pipe it on-demand to power everything from ships to steel mills.”
Hydrogen is a clean-burning molecule that can be used as a substitute for coal oil and gas in a large variety of applications. But for its use to have net environmental benefits it must be produced from clean sources rather than from unabated fossil fuel processes – the usual method at present.
Renewable hydrogen can be made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated by cheap wind or solar power. The cost of the electrolyzer technology to do this has fallen by 40% in the last five years and can continue to slide if deployment increases. Clean hydrogen can also be made using fossil fuels if the carbon is captured and stored but this is likely to be more expensive the report finds.
Read the full report on the BloombergNEF website here
The Heralds of Hydrogen: The Economic Sectors that are Driving the Hydrogen Economy in Europe
Jan 2021
Publication
This paper looked at 39 hydrogen associations across Europe to understand which economic sectors support the hydrogen transition in Europe and why they do so. Several broad conclusions can be drawn from this paper. It is clear that the support for hydrogen is broad and from a very wide spectrum of economic actors that have clear interests in the success of the hydrogen transition. Motivations for support differ. Sales and market growth are important for companies pursuing professional scientific and technical activities as well as manufacturers of chemicals machinery electronic or electrical equipment and fabricated metals. The increasing cost of CO2 combines with regulatory and societal pressure to decarbonize and concerns from investors about the long-term profitability of sectors with high emissions. This makes hydrogen especially interesting for companies working in the energy transport steel and chemical industries. Another motivation is the ability to keep using existing fixed assets relevant for ports oil and gas companies and natural gas companies. More sector-specific concerns are a technological belief held by some motor vehicle manufacturers in the advantages of FCVs over BEVs for private mobility which is held more widely regarding heavy road transport. Security of supply and diversifying the current business portfolio come up specifically for natural gas companies. Broader concerns about having to shift into other energy technologies as a core business are reasons for interest from the oil and gas sector and ports.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that the hydrogen transition has already begun – but it needs continued policy support and political commitment. Carbon-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals are clearly interested and willing to invest billions but need policy support to avoid carbon leakage to high-carbon competitors before they commit. The gas grid is ready and many operators and utility companies are eager but they need clearance to experiment with blending in hydrogen. Hydrogen road vehicles still face many regulatory hurdles. There are several clusters that can serve as models and nuclei for the future European hydrogen economy in different parts of Europe. However these nuclei will need more public funding and regulatory support for them to grow.
Link to document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Perhaps the most important lesson is that the hydrogen transition has already begun – but it needs continued policy support and political commitment. Carbon-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals are clearly interested and willing to invest billions but need policy support to avoid carbon leakage to high-carbon competitors before they commit. The gas grid is ready and many operators and utility companies are eager but they need clearance to experiment with blending in hydrogen. Hydrogen road vehicles still face many regulatory hurdles. There are several clusters that can serve as models and nuclei for the future European hydrogen economy in different parts of Europe. However these nuclei will need more public funding and regulatory support for them to grow.
Link to document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Power to Gas Linking Electricity and Gas in a Decarbonising World
Oct 2018
Publication
Since the COP 21 meeting in Paris in December 2015 there has been a growing realisation that with the long-term objective that the energy system should be approaching carbon-neutrality by 2050 continuing to burn significant quantities of fossil-derived natural gas will not be sustainable. If existing natural gas infrastructure is to avoid becoming stranded assets plans to decarbonise the gas system need to be developed as a matter of urgency in the next three to five years given the typical life expectancy of such assets of 20 years or more. One of the options to decarbonise gas is “power-to-gas”: production of hydrogen or renewable methane via electrolysis using surplus renewable electricity. This Energy Insight reviews the status of power-to-gas and makes an assessment of potential future development pathways and the role which it could play in decarbonising the energy system.
Link to document on the OIES website
Link to document on the OIES website
Hydrogen Europe Podcast: Hydrogen, The First Element: Why Renewable Hydrogen? Why Now?
Mar 2022
Publication
In the first episode of Hydrogen Europe's podcast "Hydrogen the first element" our CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis discusses with NEL's CEO and President of Hydrogen Europe Jon Andre Løkke. Starting off on how Jon joined the hydrogen sector the two CEOs investigate the historical moment renewable hydrogen is currently living.
Oxford Energy Podcast – Energy Transition Post-Pandemic in the Gulf: Clean Energy, Sustainability and Hydrogen
Jun 2021
Publication
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
The podcast can be found on their website
UK Hydrogen Strategy
Aug 2021
Publication
The UK’s first-ever Hydrogen Strategy drives forward the commitments laid out in the Prime Minister’s ambitious 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution by setting the foundation for how the UK government will work with industry to meet its ambition for 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 – the equivalent of replacing natural gas in powering around 3 million UK homes each year as well as powering transport and businesses particularly heavy industry.<br/>A booming UK-wide hydrogen economy could be worth £900 million and create over 9000 high-quality jobs by 2030 potentially rising to 100000 jobs and worth up to £13 billion by 2050. By 2030 hydrogen could play an important role in decarbonising polluting energy-intensive industries like chemicals oil refineries power and heavy transport like shipping HGV lorries and trains by helping these sectors move away from fossil fuels. Low-carbon hydrogen provides opportunities for UK companies and workers across our industrial heartlands.<br/>With government analysis suggesting that 20-35% of the UK’s energy consumption by 2050 could be hydrogen-based this new energy source could be critical to meet our targets of net zero emissions by 2050 and cutting emissions by 78% by 2035 – a view shared by the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee. In the UK a low-carbon hydrogen economy could deliver emissions savings equivalent to the carbon captured by 700 million trees by 2032 and is a key pillar of capitalising on cleaner energy sources as the UK moves away from fossil fuels.
Transition of Future Energy System Infrastructure; through Power-to-Gas Pathways
Jul 2016
Publication
Power-to-gas is a promising option for storing interment renewables nuclear baseload power and distributed energy and it is a novel concept for the transition to increased renewable content of current fuels with an ultimate goal of transition to a sustainable low-carbon future energy system that interconnects power transportation sectors and thermal energy demand all together. The aim of this paper is to introduce different Power-to-gas “pathways” including Power to Hydrogen Power to Natural Gas End-users Power to Renewable Content in Petroleum Fuel Power to Power Seasonal Energy Storage to Electricity Power to Zero Emission Transportation Power to Seasonal Storage for Transportation Power to Micro grid Power to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to Pipeline (“Methanation”) and Power to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to Seasonal Storage. In order to compare the different pathways the review of key technologies of Power-to-gas systems are studied and the qualitative efficiency and benefits of each pathway is investigated from the technical points of view. Moreover different Power-to-gas pathways are discussed as an energy policy option that can be implemented to transition towards a lower carbon economy for Ontario’s energy systems
H2FC SUPERGEN- The Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Delivering Energy Security for the UK
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 within each sector of future energy systems and the transition infrastructure that is required to achieve these roles. 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 third of four that were published over the lifetime of the Hub with the others examining: (i) low-carbon heat; (ii) energy security; and (iv) economic impacts.
- Hydrogen and fuel cells are now being deployed commercially for mainstream applications.
- Hydrogen can play a major role alongside electricity in the low-carbon economy.
- Hydrogen technologies can support low-carbon electricity systems dominated by intermittent renewables and/or electric heating demand.
- The hydrogen economy is not necessary for hydrogen and fuel cells to flourish.
Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen Production and Consumption in an Isolated Territory
Apr 2018
Publication
Hydrogen produced from renewables works as an energy carrier and as energy storage medium and thus hydrogen can help to overcome the intermittency of typical renewable energy sources. However there is no comprehensive environmental performance study of hydrogen production and consumption. In this study detailed cradle to grave life cycle analyses are performed in an isolated territory. The hydrogen is produced on-site by Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis based on electricity from wind turbines that would otherwise have been curtailed and subsequently transported with gas cylinder by road and ferry. The hydrogen is used to provide electricity and heat through fuel cell stacks as well as hydrogen fuel for fuel cell vehicles. In order to evaluate the environmental impacts related to the hydrogen production and utilisation this work conducts an investigation of the entire life cycle of the described hydrogen production transportation and utilisation. All the processes related to the equipment manufacture operation maintenance and disposal are considered in this study.
Industrial Decarbonisation Policies for a UK Net-Zero Target
Dec 2020
Publication
To inform our Sixth Carbon Budget advice the Climate Change Committee (CCC) asked the University of Leeds to undertake independent research to evaluate which policies (and combinations of policies) would enable industrial decarbonisation in line with the UK’s net zero target without inducing carbon leakage. The research focused on policies applicable to the manufacturing sector but with some consideration also given to the policies required to decarbonise the Fossil Fuel Production and Supply and Non-Road Mobile Machinery sectors. This report:
Sets out a comprehensive review of existing policies;
The paper can be downloaded from the CCC website
Sets out a comprehensive review of existing policies;
- Identifies future policy mechanisms that address key challenges in decarbonising industry;
- Explores how combinations of policies might work together strategically in the form of ‘policy packages’ and how these packages might evolve over the period to 2050;
- Evaluates a series of illustrative policy packages and considers any complementary policies required to minimise carbon leakage and deliver ‘just’ industrial decarbonisation.
- The findings were developed through a combination of literature review and extensive stakeholder engagement with industry government and academic experts.
The paper can be downloaded from the CCC website
Modelling the UK Energy System: Practical Insights for Technology Development and Policy Making
Jun 2014
Publication
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has developed an internationally peer-reviewed model of the UK’s national energy system extending across power heat transport and infrastructure. The Energy System Modelling Environment (ESME) is a policy neutral system-wide optimisation model. It models the key technology and engineering choices taking account of cost engineering spatial and temporal factors.
Key points:
Key points:
- A system-wide perspective informed by modelling is highly relevant because complex energy systems are made more inter-dependent by emissions reduction objectives
- Efforts to cut emissions are substitutable across a national energy system encompassing power heat transport and infrastructure.
- Energy systems are subject to key decision points and it is important to make the right choices in major long lived investments
- Policy makers should place policy in a system-wide context.
- Decarbonisation can be achieved affordably (at around 0.6% of GDP) provided that the most cost effective technologies and strategies to reduce emissions are deployed
- A broad portfolio of technologies is needed to deliver emissions reductions with bio-energy and carbon capture and storage of particular system-wide importance
Clean Growth- Transforming Heating Overview of Current Evidence
Dec 2018
Publication
Government has reviewed the evidence base on options for achieving long term heat decarbonisation. This report provides an overview of the key issues arising from our review and seeks to:
- highlight the different characteristics of the main alternative sources of low carbon heat and the approaches to achieving transformational change
- set out strategically important issues ‘strategic inferences’ which we have drawn from the evidence available to help focus the development of our long term policy framework
- identify areas that require further exploration to inform the development of a new long term policy framework for heat
- better understanding of the different options available for decarbonising heating
- a clearer common agenda across industry academia and the public sector to ensure effort and resources are effectively and efficiently applied to long term heat decarbonisation issues
- the strategic inferences identified
- the priority areas requiring further development
- any important omissions
- the parties best placed to deliver in these areas
- opportunities for enhancing co-ordination
Energy White Paper: Powering our Net Zero Future
Dec 2020
Publication
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan has set out the measures that will help ensure the UK is at the forefront of this revolution just as we led the first over two centuries ago. As nations move out of the shadow of coronavirus and confront the challenge of climate change with renewed vigour markets for new green products and services will spring up round the world. Taking action now will help ensure not just that we end our contribution to climate change by achieving our target of net zero emissions. It will help position UK companies and our world class research base to seize the business opportunities which flow from it creating jobs and wealth for our country.
Following on from the Ten Point Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy the Energy White Paper provides further clarity on the Prime Minister’s measures and puts in place a strategy for the wider energy system that:
Following on from the Ten Point Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy the Energy White Paper provides further clarity on the Prime Minister’s measures and puts in place a strategy for the wider energy system that:
- Transforms energy building a cleaner greener future for our country our people and our planet
- Supports a green recovery growing our economy supporting thousands of green jobs across the country in new green industries and leveraging new green export opportunities
- Creates a fair deal for consumers protecting the fuel poor providing opportunities to save money on bills giving us warmer more comfortable homes and balancing investment against bill impacts.
Scenario-Based Techno-Economic Analysis of Steam Methane Reforming Process for Hydrogen Production
Jun 2021
Publication
Steam methane reforming (SMR) process is regarded as a viable option to satisfy the growing demand for hydrogen mainly because of its capability for the mass production of hydrogen and the maturity of the technology. In this study an economically optimal process configuration of SMR is proposed by investigating six scenarios with different design and operating conditions including CO2 emission permits and CO2 capture and sale. Of the six scenarios the process configuration involving CO2 capture and sale is the most economical with an H2 production cost of $1.80/kg-H2. A wide range of economic analyses is performed to identify the tradeoffs and cost drivers of the SMR process in the economically optimal scenario. Depending on the CO2 selling price and the CO2 capture cost the economic feasibility of the SMR-based H2 production process can be further improved.
Recovery Through Reform: Advancing a Hydrogen Economy While Minimizing Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Feb 2021
Publication
This brief explores recent momentum on hydrogen and evaluates potential implications for subsidies for fossil fuel-based hydrogen given the government's commitments on fossil fuel subsidies.
Spending on hydrogen has the potential to significantly influence the direction taken by the world’s energy systems. In December 2020 Canada unveiled a national hydrogen strategy following the announcement of a strengthened climate plan. The strategy emphasized both blue and green hydrogen. As the government considers whether to provide subsidies for hydrogen we recommend government:
This brief is one of three International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) policy briefs in its Recovery Through Reform series which assesses how efforts to achieve a green recovery from COVID-19 in Canada rely on—and can contribute to—fossil fuel subsidy reform.
Spending on hydrogen has the potential to significantly influence the direction taken by the world’s energy systems. In December 2020 Canada unveiled a national hydrogen strategy following the announcement of a strengthened climate plan. The strategy emphasized both blue and green hydrogen. As the government considers whether to provide subsidies for hydrogen we recommend government:
- Ensure that any subsidies for hydrogen are in line with the government’s commitments to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 and meet net-zero by 2050.
- Thoroughly evaluate the potential efficiency of subsidies for hydrogen against robust social environmental and economic criteria. • Improve transparency by publicly reporting on direct spending and tax expenditures for hydrogen production.
- Follow international best practices being set by Canada’s peers. For example Germany and Spain have laid out hydrogen strategies prioritizing green hydrogen.
This brief is one of three International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) policy briefs in its Recovery Through Reform series which assesses how efforts to achieve a green recovery from COVID-19 in Canada rely on—and can contribute to—fossil fuel subsidy reform.
World Energy Issues Monitor 2018: Perspectives on the Grand Energy Transition
May 2018
Publication
The World Energy Issues Monitor provides the views of energy leaders from across the globe to highlight the key issues of uncertainty importance and developing signals for the future.
The World Energy Issues Monitor Tool presents in one place dynamic map views of the nine years of Issues Monitor data that has been collated by the World Energy Council. The maps convey a narrative of the key energy issues regional and local variances and how these have changed over time. The tool allows the preparation of different maps for comparison and allows the manipulation of data by geography over time or by highlighting of specific energy issues.
The World Energy Issues Monitor Tool presents in one place dynamic map views of the nine years of Issues Monitor data that has been collated by the World Energy Council. The maps convey a narrative of the key energy issues regional and local variances and how these have changed over time. The tool allows the preparation of different maps for comparison and allows the manipulation of data by geography over time or by highlighting of specific energy issues.
- The geographical views can now be broken out into a country level.
- The time view allows you to see how specific issues have developed whether globally at a regional or country level
- Issues can also be viewed according to certain categories such as OECD non-OECD G20 countries innovators
Evaluation of Decarbonization Technologies for ASEAN Countries via an Integrated Assessment Tool
May 2022
Publication
A new assessment tool for evaluating decarbonization technologies that considers each technology’s sustainability security affordability readiness and impact for a specific country is proposed. This tool is applied to a set of decarbonization technologies for the power transport and industry sectors for the ten Southeast Asian countries that constitute ASEAN. This results in a list of the most promising decarbonization technologies as well as the remaining issues that need more research and development. This study reveals several common themes for ASEAN’s decarbonization. First carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key technology for large-scale CO2 emission. Second for countries that rely heavily on coal for power generation switching to gas can halve their CO2 emission in the power sector and should be given high priority. Third hydropower and bioenergy both have high potential for the majority of ASEAN countries if their sustainability issues can be resolved satisfactorily. Fourth replacing conventional vehicles by electric vehicles is the overarching theme in the road transport sector but will result in increased demand for electricity. In the medium to long term the use of hydrogen for marine fuel and biofuels for aviation fuel are preferred solutions for the marine and aviation transport sectors. Fifth for the industry sector installing CCS in industrial plants should be given priority but replacing fossil fuels by blue hydrogen for high-temperature heating is the preferred long-term solution.
The Compatibility of Onshore Petroleum with Meeting the UK’s Carbon Budgets
Jul 2016
Publication
The Committee’s report ‘The compatibility of UK onshore petroleum with meeting the UK’s carbon budgets’ is the result of a new duty under the Infrastructure Act 2015. This duty requires the CCC to advise the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change about the implications of exploitation of onshore petroleum including shale gas for meeting UK carbon budgets.<br/>The CCC’s report finds that the implications of UK shale gas exploitation for greenhouse gas emissions are subject to considerable uncertainty – from the size of any future industry to the potential emissions footprint of shale gas production. It also finds that exploitation of shale gas on a significant scale is not compatible with UK carbon budgets or the 2050 commitment to reduce emissions by at least 80% unless three tests are satisfied.
Reducing Emissions in Scotland – 2017 Progress Report
Sep 2017
Publication
The Scottish Act sets a long-term target to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by at least 80% in 2050 relative to 1990 with an interim target to reduce emissions by 42% in 2020. Secondary legislation passed in October 2010 and October 2011 also set a series of annual emission reduction targets for 2010 to 2022 and 2023 to 2027 respectively. We advised the Scottish Government on annual targets for the period 2028 to 2032 in March 2016 and July 2016.<br/>The report reveals that Scotland’s annual emissions reduction target for 2014 was met with gross Scottish greenhouse gas emissions including international aviation and shipping falling by 8.6% in 2014. This compares to a 7.3% fall for the UK as a whole. Since 1990 gross Scottish emissions have fallen nearly 40% compared to nearly 33% at a UK level.
Reducing Emissions in Scotland 2019 Progress Report
Dec 2019
Publication
This is the eighth annual Progress Report to the Scottish Parliament required by Scottish Ministers under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It assesses Scotland’s progress in achieving its legislated targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<br/>Overall greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 3% in 2017 compared to a 10% fall in 2016. The fall was again led by the power sector due in large part to Scotland’s first full year of coal-free electricity generation. Recent performance in other sectors shows only incremental improvement at best and unless emissions reductions are delivered economy-wide Scotland is at risk of missing its new interim target of a 56% reduction in emissions by 2020. Setting a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2045 represents a step-change in ambition for Scotland. The Scottish Parliament’s 2030 target to reduce emissions by 75% will be extremely challenging to meet. It must be backed up by steps to drive meaningful emissions reductions immediately.<br/>Scotland’s Programme for Government 2019-20 alongside other recent policies sent a clear signal that the Scottish Government is taking its more ambitious targets seriously but there is much more to do.Scotland’s ability to deliver its net-zero target is contingent on action taken in the UK and vice versa.
Next Steps for UK Heat Policy
Oct 2016
Publication
Heating and hot water for UK buildings make up 40% of our energy consumption and 20% of our greenhouse gas emissions. It will be necessary to largely eliminate these emissions by around 2050 to meet the targets in the Climate Change Act and to maintain the UK contribution to international action under the Paris Agreement.<br/>Progress to date has stalled. The Government needs a credible new strategy and a much stronger policy framework for buildings decarbonisation over the next three decades. Many of the changes that will reduce emissions will also contribute toward modern affordable comfortable homes and workplaces and can be delivered alongside a major expansion in the number of homes. This report considers that challenge and sets out possible steps to meet it.
Scenarios for Deployment of Hydrogen in Meeting Carbon Budgets (E4tech)
Nov 2015
Publication
This research considers the potential role of hydrogen in meeting the UK’s carbon budgets. It was written by consultancy E4tech.<br/>The CCC develops scenarios for the UK’s future energy system to assess routes to decarbonisation and to advise UK Government on policy options. Uncertainty to 2050 is considerable and so different scenarios are needed to assess different trajectories targets and technology combinations. Some of these scenarios assess specific technologies or fuels which have the potential to make a significant contribution to future decarbonisation.<br/>Hydrogen is one such fuel. It has been included in limited quantities in some CCC scenarios but not extensively examined in part due to perceived or anticipated higher costs than some other options. But as hydrogen technology is developed and deployed the cost projections and other performance indicators have become more favourable.
Energy Modeling Approach to the Global Energy-mineral Nexus: Exploring Metal Requirements and the Well-below 2 °C Target with 100 Percent Renewable Energy
Jun 2018
Publication
Detailed analysis of pathways to future sustainable energy systems is important in order to identify and overcome potential constraints and negative impacts and to increase the utility and speed of this transition. A key aspect of a shift to renewable energy technologies is their relatively higher metal intensities. In this study a bottom-up cost-minimizing energy model is used to calculate aggregate metal requirements in different energy technology including hydrogen and climate policy scenarios and under a range of assumptions reflecting uncertainty in future metal intensities recycling rate and life time of energy technologies. Metal requirements are then compared to current production rates and resource estimates to identify potentially “critical” metals. Three technology pathways are investigated: 100 percent renewables coal & nuclear and gas & renewables each under the two different climate policies: net zero emissions satisfying the well-below 2 °C target and business as usual without carbon constraints resulting together in six scenarios. The results suggest that the three different technology pathways lead to an almost identical degree of warming without any climate policy while emissions peaks within a few decades with a 2 °C policy. The amount of metals required varies significantly in the different scenarios and under the various uncertainty assumptions. However some can be deemed “critical” in all outcomes including Vanadium. The originality of this study lies in the specific findings and in the employment of an energy model for the energy-mineral nexus study to provide better understanding for decision making and policy development.
Can the Current EU Regulatory Framework Deliver Decarbonisation of Gas?
Jun 2020
Publication
This Energy Insight examines the current regulatory framework and challenges facing the natural gas industry (producers transporters suppliers and consumers) during the transition to a zero-carbon economy. The EU has declared its intention to be climate neutral by 2050 which means that the current level of natural gas usage will no longer be possible. However natural gas is a crucial component of energy supply representing 24 per cent of primary energy supply for the EU27+UK and 36 per cent of residential energy consumption. In some countries the use of natural gas is much higher – around 40 per cent of primary energy supply in Netherlands UK and Italy. The current framework impacting gas addresses two different market failures – natural monopolies for gas transportation and the externalities of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The framework will not deliver decarbonisation of gas as it does not stimulate either supply or demand for alternatives such as hydrogen nor create the conditions to enable gas networks to transition to a decarbonised future. Policy makers need to prioritise their objectives to take account of the trade-offs involved in designing a new framework. Exclusion of certain low carbon technologies risks driving away investors and reduces the chances of targets being met whilst “picking winners” involves risks because of the many uncertainties involved such as future costs and time required to build new value chains.
Link to Document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Link to Document on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies website
Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero- Session 3
Mar 2021
Publication
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hear from officials research funders and leading research consortia about the UK’s strategy for research and development of batteries and fuel cells to help meet the net-zero target.
The Committee will question officials from government departments and research councils about the UK’s increased support for battery development and how the initiatives and funding will evolve. The Committee will compare the support given to fuel cell research and ask how this technology will be developed for applications such as heavy transport. For both technologies it will ask how training will be delivered to provide a skilled workforce.
The Committee will also hear from leaders of research consortia asking them about support for their research sectors and how this compares with countries leading the development of the technologies. The Committee will explore coordination between research into batteries fuel cells and wider strategies such as for hydrogen and whether research for transport can be transferred to applications in other sectors such as power grids and heating.
At 10.00am: Oral evidence
Mr Tony Harper Industrial Strategy Challenge Director Faraday Battery Challenge at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) at University of Central Lancashire
Dr Lucy Martin Deputy Director of Cross-Council Programmes and lead for Net Zero at University of Central Lancashire
Dr Bob Moran Deputy Director Head of Environment Strategy at University of Central Lancashire
Professor Paul Monks Chief Scientific Adviser at University of Central Lancashire
At 11.00am: Oral evidence
Professor Philip Taylor Director at EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at University of Bristol
Professor David Greenwood CEO High Value Manufacturing Catapult at University of Central Lancashire Director Industrial Engagement at University of Central Lancashire and Professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems at University of Warwick
Professor Paul Dodds Professor of Energy Systems at University of Central Lancashire
Possible questions
Parliament TV video of the meeting
This is part three of a three part enquiry.
Part one can be found here and part two can be found here.
The Committee will question officials from government departments and research councils about the UK’s increased support for battery development and how the initiatives and funding will evolve. The Committee will compare the support given to fuel cell research and ask how this technology will be developed for applications such as heavy transport. For both technologies it will ask how training will be delivered to provide a skilled workforce.
The Committee will also hear from leaders of research consortia asking them about support for their research sectors and how this compares with countries leading the development of the technologies. The Committee will explore coordination between research into batteries fuel cells and wider strategies such as for hydrogen and whether research for transport can be transferred to applications in other sectors such as power grids and heating.
At 10.00am: Oral evidence
Mr Tony Harper Industrial Strategy Challenge Director Faraday Battery Challenge at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) at University of Central Lancashire
Dr Lucy Martin Deputy Director of Cross-Council Programmes and lead for Net Zero at University of Central Lancashire
Dr Bob Moran Deputy Director Head of Environment Strategy at University of Central Lancashire
Professor Paul Monks Chief Scientific Adviser at University of Central Lancashire
At 11.00am: Oral evidence
Professor Philip Taylor Director at EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at University of Bristol
Professor David Greenwood CEO High Value Manufacturing Catapult at University of Central Lancashire Director Industrial Engagement at University of Central Lancashire and Professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems at University of Warwick
Professor Paul Dodds Professor of Energy Systems at University of Central Lancashire
Possible questions
- On which aspects of battery and fuel cell research and development is the UK focusing and why?
- How successful have the UK’s new research initiatives been in advancing battery science and application?
- Does battery research receive greater public funding than fuel cell research? If so why?
- What technologies are seen as the most likely options for heavy transport i.e. HGVs buses and trains?
- What is the Government’s strategy for supporting the growth of skilled workers for battery and fuel cell research and development?
- To what extent is battery and fuel cell research and development coordinated in the UK? If so who is responsible for this coordination?
Parliament TV video of the meeting
This is part three of a three part enquiry.
Part one can be found here and part two can be found here.
A Decarbonization Roadmap for Singapore and Its Energy Policy Implications
Oct 2021
Publication
As a signatory to the Paris Agreement Singapore is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the second half of the century. In this paper we propose a decarbonization roadmap for Singapore based on an analysis of Singapore’s energy landscape and a technology mapping exercise. This roadmap consists of four major components. The first component which also underpins the other three components is using centralized post-combustion carbon capture technology to capture and compress CO2 emitted from multiple industrial sources in Jurong Island. The captured CO2 is then transported by ship or an existing natural gas pipeline to a neighboring country where it will be stored permanently in a subsurface reservoir. Important to the success of this first-of-a-kind cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) project is the establishment of a regional CCS corridor which makes use of economies of scale to reduce the cost of CO2 capture transport and injection. The second component of the roadmap is the production of hydrogen in a methane steam reforming plant which is integrated with the carbon capture plant. The third component is the modernizing of the refining sector by introducing biorefineries increasing output to petrochemical plants and employing post-combustion carbon capture. The fourth component is refueling the transport sector by introducing electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles using biofuels for aviation and hydrogen for marine vessels. The implications of this roadmap on Singapore’s energy policies are also discussed.
Contrasting European Hydrogen Pathways: An Analysis of Differing Approaches in Key Markets
Mar 2021
Publication
European countries approach the market ramp-up of hydrogen very differently. In some cases the economic and political starting points differ significantly. While the probability is high that some countries such as Germany or Italy will import hydrogen in the long term other countries such as United Kingdom France or Spain could become hydrogen exporters. The reasons for this are the higher potential for renewable energies but also a technology-neutral approach on the supply side.
Role of Batteries and Fuel Cells in Achieving Net Zero- Session 1
Mar 2021
Publication
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will question experts on the role of batteries and fuel cells for decarbonisation and how much they can contribute to meeting the net-zero target.
Tuesday’s evidence session will be the first of the committee’s new decarbonisation inquiry which was launched on Wednesday 3 March and is currently accepting written evidence submissions.
The session will give an overview of battery and fuel cell technologies and their applications in transport and other sectors. The Committee will ask how battery manufacture can be scaled up to meet wide-scale deployment of electric vehicles and whether technical challenges can be overcome to allow batteries and fuel cells to be used in HGVs and trains. The Committee will also investigate the wider use of batteries and fuel cells in various sectors including integration into power grids and heating systems.
Inquiry Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero
Professor Nigel Brandon Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London
Professor Mauro Pasta Associate Professor of Materials at University of Oxford
Professor Pam Thomas CEO at Faraday Institution and Pro Vice Chancellor for Research at University of Warwick
Mr Amer Gaffar Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University
Possible questions
What contribution are battery and fuel cell technologies currently making towards decarbonization in the UK?
What advances do we expect to see in battery and fuel cell technologies and over what timeframes?
How quickly can UK battery and fuel cell manufacture be scaled up to meet electrification demands?
What are the challenges facing technological innovation and deployment in heavy transport?
Are there any sectors where battery and fuel cell technologies are not currently used but could contribute to decarbonisation?
What are the life cycle environmental impacts of batteries and fuel cells?
Parliament TV video of the meeting
This is part one of a three part enquiry.
Part two can be found here and part three can be found here.
Tuesday’s evidence session will be the first of the committee’s new decarbonisation inquiry which was launched on Wednesday 3 March and is currently accepting written evidence submissions.
The session will give an overview of battery and fuel cell technologies and their applications in transport and other sectors. The Committee will ask how battery manufacture can be scaled up to meet wide-scale deployment of electric vehicles and whether technical challenges can be overcome to allow batteries and fuel cells to be used in HGVs and trains. The Committee will also investigate the wider use of batteries and fuel cells in various sectors including integration into power grids and heating systems.
Inquiry Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero
Professor Nigel Brandon Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London
Professor Mauro Pasta Associate Professor of Materials at University of Oxford
Professor Pam Thomas CEO at Faraday Institution and Pro Vice Chancellor for Research at University of Warwick
Mr Amer Gaffar Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University
Possible questions
What contribution are battery and fuel cell technologies currently making towards decarbonization in the UK?
What advances do we expect to see in battery and fuel cell technologies and over what timeframes?
How quickly can UK battery and fuel cell manufacture be scaled up to meet electrification demands?
What are the challenges facing technological innovation and deployment in heavy transport?
Are there any sectors where battery and fuel cell technologies are not currently used but could contribute to decarbonisation?
What are the life cycle environmental impacts of batteries and fuel cells?
Parliament TV video of the meeting
This is part one of a three part enquiry.
Part two can be found here and part three can be found here.
Delivering Net-zero Carbon Heat: Technoeconomic and Whole-system Comparisons of Domestic Electricity- and Hydrogen-driven Technologies in the UK
Apr 2022
Publication
Proposed sustainable transition pathways for moving away from natural gas in domestic heating focus on two main energy vectors: electricity and hydrogen. Electrification would be implemented by using vapourcompression heat pumps which are currently experiencing market growth in many countries. On the other hand hydrogen could substitute natural gas in boilers or be used in thermally–driven absorption heat pumps. In this paper a consistent thermodynamic and economic methodology is developed to assess the competitiveness of these options. The three technologies along with the option of district heating are for the first time compared for different weather/ambient conditions and fuel-price scenarios first from a homeowner’s and then from a wholeenergy system perspective. For the former two-dimensional decision maps are generated to identify the most cost-effective technologies for different combinations of fuel prices. It is shown that in the UK hydrogen technologies are economically favourable if hydrogen is supplied to domestic end-users at a price below half of the electricity price. Otherwise electrification and the use of conventional electric heat pumps will be preferred. From a whole-energy system perspective the total system cost per household (which accounts for upstream generation and storage as well as technology investment installation and maintenance) associated with electric heat pumps varies between 790 and 880 £/year for different scenarios making it the least-cost decarbonisation pathway. If hydrogen is produced by electrolysis the total system cost associated with hydrogen technologies is notably higher varying between 1410 and 1880 £/year. However this total system cost drops to 1150 £/year with hydrogen produced cost-effectively by methane reforming and carbon capture and storage thus reducing the gap between electricity- and hydrogen-driven technologies.
Lessons Learned from Australian Infrastructure Upgrades
Feb 2020
Publication
This report fulfils Deliverable Five for Research Project 2.1-01 of the Future Fuels CRC. The aims of this project Crystallising lessons learned from major infrastructure upgrades are to provide a report on lessons learned from earlier infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions and identify tools that can be used to develop consistent messaging around the proposed transition to hydrogen and/or other low-carbon fuels. In both the report and the toolkit there are recommendations on how to apply lessons learned and shape messaging throughout the value chain based on prior infrastructure upgrades.
This report presents three Australian case studies that that are relevant to the development of future fuels: the transition from town gas to natural gas the use of ethanol and LPG as motor fuels and the development of coal seam gas resources. Drawing on published information each case study provides an account of the issues that arose during the upgrade or transition and of the approaches through which industry and government stakeholders managed these issues. From these accounts lessons are identified that can guide stakeholder engagement in future infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions. The findings from the case studies and academic literature have been used to develop an accompanying draft toolkit for use by FFCRC stakeholders.
The report also distils applicable lessons and frameworks from academic literature about stakeholder analysis megaprojects and the social acceptance of industries and technologies. This report is meant to be used in conjunction with a companion toolkit that provides a framework for making coordinated decisions across the fuel value chain.
You can read the full report on the Future Fuels CRC website here
This report presents three Australian case studies that that are relevant to the development of future fuels: the transition from town gas to natural gas the use of ethanol and LPG as motor fuels and the development of coal seam gas resources. Drawing on published information each case study provides an account of the issues that arose during the upgrade or transition and of the approaches through which industry and government stakeholders managed these issues. From these accounts lessons are identified that can guide stakeholder engagement in future infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions. The findings from the case studies and academic literature have been used to develop an accompanying draft toolkit for use by FFCRC stakeholders.
The report also distils applicable lessons and frameworks from academic literature about stakeholder analysis megaprojects and the social acceptance of industries and technologies. This report is meant to be used in conjunction with a companion toolkit that provides a framework for making coordinated decisions across the fuel value chain.
You can read the full report on the Future Fuels CRC website here
Pathway to Net Zero Emissions
Oct 2021
Publication
A feasible path to limit planetary warming to 1.5°C requires certain countries and sectors to go below net zero and to do so well before the middle of the century according to new analysis from the authors of the Energy Transition Outlook. DNV’s pathway to net zero says North America and Europe must be carbon neutral by 2042 whereas Indian Subcontinent is set to be a net emitter by 2050 Net zero report says carbon capture storage and use is required as energy production will not be carbon neutral by 2050 Aim to halve emissions by 2030 is out of reach but massive early action is needed if we are to have any chance of reaching a 1.5°C future DNV’s new report “Pathway to Net Zero Emissions” describes a feasible way to limit global warming to 1.5°C Policy makers are set to meet in Glasgow for the COP 26 summit with an eye on achieving zero emissions by 2050. For this to happen North America and Europe must be carbon neutral by 2042 and then carbon negative thereafter according to DNV’s pathway to net zero. The pathway also finds that Greater China must reduce emissions by 98% from 2019 levels by 2050. There are regions that cannot realistically transition completely away from fossil fuels in the same timeframe such as the Indian Subcontinent which will reduce emissions by 64%. Pathway to Net Zero Emissions also lays out the pace at which different industry sectors need to decarbonize. The so-called hard-to-abate sectors will take longer to decarbonize and even if sectors like maritime (-90% CO2 emissions in 2050) and iron and steel production (-82%) scale up the introduction of greener technologies they will still be net emitters by 2050.
Towards Global Cleaner Energy and Hydrogen Production: A Review and Application ORC Integrality with Multigeneration Systems
Apr 2022
Publication
The current evidential effect of carbon emissions has become a societal challenge and the need to transition to cleaner energy sources/technologies has attracted wide research attention. Technologies that utilize low-grade heat like the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and Kalina cycle have been proposed as viable approaches for fossil reduction/carbon mitigation. The development of renewable energy-based multigeneration systems is another alternative solution to this global challenge. Hence it is important to monitor the development of multigeneration energy systems based on low-grade heat. In this study a review of the ORC’s application in multigeneration systems is presented to highlight the recent development in ORC integrality/application. Beyond this a new ORC-CPVT (concentrated photovoltaic/thermal) integrated multigeneration system is also modeled and analyzed using the thermodynamics approach. Since most CPVT systems integrate hot water production in the thermal stem the proposed multigeneration system is designed to utilize part of the thermal energy to generate electricity and hydrogen. Although the CPVT system can achieve high energetic and exergetic efficiencies while producing thermal energy and electricity these efficiencies are 47.9% and 37.88% respectively for the CPVT-ORC multigeneration configuration. However it is noteworthy that the electricity generation from the CPVT-ORC configuration in this study is increased by 16%. In addition the hot water cooling effect and hydrogen generated from the multigeneration system are 0.4363 L/s 161 kW and 1.515 L/s respectively. The environmental analysis of the system also shows that the carbon emissions reduction potential is enormous.
Inefficient Investments as a Key to Narrowing Regional Economic Imbalances
Feb 2022
Publication
Policy led decisions aiming at decarbonizing the economy may well exacerbate existing regional economic imbalances. These effects are seldomly recognised in spatially aggregated top-down and techno-economic decarbonization strategies. Here we present a spatial economic framework that quantifies the gross value added associated with low carbon hydrogen investments while accounting for region-specific factors such as the industrial specialization of regions their relative size and their economic interdependencies. In our case study which uses low carbon hydrogen produced via autothermal reforming combined with carbon capture and storage to decarbonize the energy intensive industries in Europe and in the UK we demonstrate that interregional economic interdependencies drive the overall economic benefits of the decarbonization. Policies intended to concurrently transition to net zero and address existing regional imbalances as in the case of the UK Industrial Decarbonization Challenge should take these local factors into account.
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