Obtain the data you need to make the most informed decisions by accessing our extensive portfolio of information, analytics, and expertise. Sign in to the product or service center of your choice.
Is hydrogen the missing piece of the zero-carbon puzzle?
31 July 2018
To meet the goals set out at the Paris Climate Conference,
Europe will need to go beyond the decarbonisation of power: the
challenge lies in reducing emissions from heat, transport and
buildings. Hydrogen can deliver decarbonisation in these sectors,
making it one of the more attractive options for deep
decarbonisation. To understand the possible impact of hydrogen, IHS
Markit has launched a far-reaching multi-client study assessing how
hydrogen can contribute in a zero-carbon world: Hydrogen: the
missing piece of the zero-carbon puzzle.
Our experts share their expertise on goals set out at the Paris
Climate Conference in Europe:
'The European Union expects that a great deal of the
additional emissions reduction to meet the 2030 target will be
achieved in heat and transport sector, therefore not with electric
renewables. In that context, hydrogen in heating and transport will
become much more of a focus of attention.' - Simon Blakey,
Senior Associate.
'Hydrogen as an energy source has been discussed for
decades. The increasing focus on climate means that this is the
right time for the energy industry to pilot hydrogen projects and
assist policymakers to create a roadmap for its contribution to
reducing emissions.' - Shankari Srinivasan,
Vice-President.
In the first workshop, IHS Markit detailed at the cost of
producing hydrogen from different technologies, focusing on the
comparison between 'green' (from zero-carbon electricity) and
'blue' (from natural gas with carbon capture and storage or use)
hydrogen. Below, is analysis from our experts.
Catherine Robinson, Executive Director says: 'Producing blue
hydrogen with steam methane reforming is relatively
straightforward: gas price is the key parameter. Once you start to
think about green hydrogen, things get much more complex. Looking
at green hydrogen, you need to consider what technology does the
power come from, what is the carbon content of the electricity,
what is the cost of the electricity, what load is implied for
electrolyser.'
Deborah Mann, Director, adds: 'Cost drivers for green
hydrogen and blue hydrogen are very different. The production of
blue hydrogen would benefit from scale-large centralised projects
would drive costs down, including from CCS. Green hydrogen, on the
other hand, requires the rollout of many small electrolysers to
drive down the current high costs of the technology to an economic
level through volume-learning.'
For more information about our multi-client study 'Hydrogen:
the missing piece of the zero-carbon puzzle', please contact
Cristian
Muresan.
Coralie Laurencin is Director, European Power, Gas,
Coal, and Renewables, IHS Markit. Posted 31 July 2018
IHS Markit and CNPC ETRI are jointly presenting the
International Energy Executive Forum 2019 in Beijing, China on
December 13, 2018. Now in its 6th year, the Forum will address
pertinent issues, like the ones covered in the article above, and a
wide range of topics concerning global energy development with top
executives, government officials, and thought leaders. Registration
will open in September 2018.