Low-carbon hydrogen will almost certainly be needed to cut emissions across a range of hard-to-abate sectors. However, if it is used to solve too many problems, it could end up delaying the energy transition and putting urgent decarbonisation plans in jeopardy
The hype around low-carbon hydrogen risks crowding out more efficient ways of getting some hard-to-abate sectors to net-zero by 2050
HARD TO ABATE Low-carbon hydrogen is being touted as the key to dealing with sectors that cannot easily be decarbonised through electrification
IMPOSSIBLE TASK Experts worry that too much emphasis on hydrogen could divert attention and funds away from more effective ways of reaching net-zero
KEY QUOTE Direct electricity usage is always best, for efficiency reasons ...
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Green hydrogen is expected to become a commercially viable energy carrier soon. The coming decade could see it become a vital part of the energy transition, says Frank Wouters from the MENA Hydrogen Alliance
Hydrogen brings a lot to the table for the EU's energy transition. But to be truly beneficial, we need to design its contribution with a global perspective, argues Thomas Boermans, head of innovation trends and strategy at E.ON.
Trucks and ships could be two means of transport running on hydrogen gas, produced using electricity, in the coming years
The European Union is faced with making a number of key decisions imposed by the climate emergency and the need for drastic CO2 reduction. More than ever, the fight against climate change also needs to contribute to the economic recovery by developing the EU industry and technologies of the future. Low-carbon hydrogen meets both ambitions, says Christelle Rouillé, from EDF subsidiary Hynamics
Government support for Power-to-X projects and Denmark’s energy islands is essential in commercialising the technology, says Søren Rydbirk from Green Hydrogen Systems
There will be no place for fossil gas in a decarbonised world, says Florent Marcellesi, a Green Member of the European Parliament, urging the European Commission to agree clear definitions and a sound taxonomy for all new gases to ensure they comply with the Paris Climate Agreement
As with any technology, the key to cost reduction is the rate at which the technology is deployed, but the hydrogen economy is moving forward slowly