Network Evolutionary Game Analysis of Coal-to-Hydrogen CCUS Technology Dissemination in Carbon Trading Market

Integrating coal-to-hydrogen production with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating a shift towards a more sustainable energy paradigm. This paper explores the diffusion of CCUS technology within the coal-to-hydrogen sector against the dynamic backdrop of the carbon trading market. An evolutionary game-theoretic approach is utilized within a smallworld network framework to analyze the spread of CCUS technology among coal-tohydrogen enterprises. The simulation reveals that current market dynamics, along with technological, market, and policy-related uncertainties, do not robustly encourage the adoption of CCUS. As the carbon trading market continues to mature, carbon prices become a significant factor influencing the diffusion of CCUS technology in coal-to-hydrogen processes. Furthermore, investment costs, hydrogen market prices, and governmental policies are identified as pivotal elements in the propagation of CCUS technology. This study contributes valuable insights into the sustainable development of the hydrogen industry and the broader implications for low-carbon energy transition strategies.