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A Systematic Comparison of the Energy and Emissions Intensity of Hydrogen Production Pathways in the  United Kingdom

Abstract

Meeting climate targets requires profound transformations in the energy system. Most energy uses should be electrified, but where this is not feasible, hydrogen can be part of the solution. However, 98% of global hydrogen production involves greenhouse gas emissions, with an average of 12 kg CO2e/kg H2. Therefore, new hydrogen production pathways are needed in order to make hydrogen production compatible with climate targets. In this work, we fill this gap by systematically comparing the energy and emissions intensity of 173 hydrogen production pathways suitable for the UK. Scenarios include onshore and offshore pathways and the use of repurposed infrastructure. Unlike fossil-fuel based pathways, the results show that electrolytic hydrogen powered by fixed offshore wind could align with proposed emissions standards, either onshore or offshore. However, the embodied and fugitive emissions are important to consider for electrolytic pathways as they result in 10–50% of the total emissions intensity.

Funding source: Alice Bennett gratefully acknowledges the EPSRC for funding this research through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment: Resilience in a Changing World (EPSRC grant reference number EP/S02302X/1), along with the industry sponsors BP Plc and AVEVA Group Limited. Andr´e Cabrera Serrenho acknowledges the support of Isaac Newton Trust Early Career Research Support scheme, and the EPSRC in the United Kingdom through the UK FIRES Programme Grant (grant reference EP/S019111/ 1).
Related subjects: Production & Supply Chain
Countries: United Kingdom
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/content/journal6169
2024-09-28
2024-11-21
/content/journal6169
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