The Future of Clean Hydrogen: Global Perspectives and Challenges
Key Ideas
  • Clean hydrogen is projected to have a significant role in global energy systems by 2050, with demand expected to reach nearly 200 million tonnes of oil equivalent.
  • Different regions show varying levels of commitment and challenges in adopting clean hydrogen, with Europe struggling to meet ambitious targets while North America and Asia-Pacific demonstrate strong potential.
  • In the more ambitious scenario, clean hydrogen could grow to nearly 10% of total final energy demand by 2050, with a substantial shift towards green hydrogen production using renewable energy sources.
  • While hydrogen is crucial for decarbonising industry and transportation, its widespread adoption is hindered by factors like high production costs, infrastructure limitations, and competition for renewable electricity.
The article discusses Equinor's scenario outlooks on the role of clean hydrogen in global energy systems by 2050. The Walls scenario projects a substantial demand increase for clean hydrogen, with a focus on industry and transport but limited application in the power sector. Europe advocates for hydrogen, while North America and Asia-Pacific show potential as hydrogen leaders. In the Bridges EP23 scenario, clean hydrogen becomes a key player in decarbonisation efforts, especially in eliminating emissions from gas-fired power generation. China emerges as a significant market for hydrogen, with a shift towards green hydrogen production using renewable energy. The article emphasizes the challenges of clean hydrogen adoption, including high costs, infrastructure hurdles, and competition for renewable resources. Despite the potential benefits in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors, the trajectory of hydrogen adoption remains uncertain due to economic, technical, and policy factors. Overall, the outlook is positive on the role of hydrogen in the energy transition, highlighting its importance in achieving global decarbonisation goals.
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