The taxonomy of hydrogen production should move beyond the colours widely used to focus on carbon equivalence, according to a report from the World Energy Council (WEC).

The report notes that there seems to be no agreed colour for hydrogen produced from nuclear, and differing shades of blue for hydrogen supplied from various fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

A lack of clarity around the issue could prematurely exclude some technological routes that could be more cost- and carbon-effective, according to the report, titled Hydrogen on the Horizon: Ready, Almost Set, Go?.

“The focus should be on the carbon intensity of hydrogen and not on the nature of the feedstock” Espinoza, Epri

“At the end of the day, the focus should be on the carbon intensity of hydrogen and not on the nature of the feedstock,” says Neva Espinoza, vice-president, energy supply and low carbon resources at non-profit research organization the Electric Power Research Institute, a WEC member.

“This will be far more useful for groups and individuals seeking to achieve their decarbonisation goals.”

Three key issues for hydrogen economy

The council’s work has identified three other key issues to the development of a hydrogen economy.

First, there is significant divergence across countries and regions in the development of hydrogen strategies. Asia shows a greater focus on hydrogen as a liquid fuel and as a transport fuel for shipping and road transport. Europe is more focused on using hydrogen to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. And the Americas are targeting production for their own consumption and export.

Second, debates and strategies are too focused on supply. Discussions must explore what is needed to trigger demand, with a specific focus on the development of hydrogen infrastructure and a global supply chain, according to WEC CEO Angela Wilkinson.

“Identifying end-user priorities and triggers for enhanced demand is critical to better understand hydrogen’s real potential in creating decarbonised societal futures,” she says.

Third, the hydrogen economy could stimulate recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Several national hydrogen strategies highlight the opportunities the sector represents for the creation of jobs, according to Jeroen van Hoof, global energy, utilities and resources leader at professional services firm PwC Netherlands.

“Hydrogen has the potential to create skilled jobs along the entire value chain, which connects almost all sectors of our global economy,” he says.

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Author: Tom Young