Hydrogen will be key to reaching carbon neutrality in 2050. However, although its use does not directly generate GHG emissions, its production is currently very carbon intensive and should be first considered as a challenge before being considered as a solution for the climate. It is thus urgent to switch to low-carbon technologies to decarbonise the current production and to allow the emergence of new end-uses.
In this report, the broad variety of hydrogen production routes and technologies is explored, comparing their characteristics, maturity level, efficiency and GHG emissions. From electrolytic technologies powered by renewables (renewable hydrogen) to pyrolytic, thermochemical with CCUS, or even biological, hydrogen production technologies show many different advantages that could make them competitive with current fossil-fuel based ones. Are their GHG emissions low enough to qualify as low-carbon technologies? Are they mature enough for industrial operation? And consequently, are these likely to constitute a significant share of the production in Europe by 2030?
Download the full version here
Download the synthesis version