Policy & Socio-Economics
PyPSA-Earth Sector-coupled: A Global Open-source Multi-energy System Model Showcased for Hydrogen Applications in Countries of the Global South
Jan 2025
Publication
This study presents sector-coupled PyPSA-Earth: a novel global open-source energy system optimization model that incorporates major demand sectors and energy carriers in high spatial and temporal resolution to enable energy transition studies worldwide. The model includes a workflow that automatically downloads and processes the necessary demand supply and transmission data to co-optimize investment and operation of energy systems of cou Read More
Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H2-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems
Feb 2025
Publication
The increasing demand for carbon-free energy in recent years has positioned hydrogen as a viable option. However its current production remains largely dependent on carbon-emitting sources. In this context natural hydrogen generated through geological processes in the Earth’s subsurface has emerged as a promising alternative. The present study provides the first national-scale assessment of natural dihydrogen (H2) potential in Uruguay by developin Read More
Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of Hydrogen Injection in the Natural Gas Network
Feb 2025
Publication
This study explores the feasibility parameters of a potential investment plan for injecting “green” hydrogen into the existing natural gas supply network in Greece. To this end a preliminary profitability optimization analysis was conducted through key performance indicators such as the cost of hydrogen and the socio-environmental benefit of carbon savings followed by break-even and sensitivity analyses. The identification of the major impact drivers of th Read More
Simulation and Feasibility Assessment of a Green Hydrogen Supply Chain: A Case Study in Oman
Feb 2024
Publication
The transition to sustainable energy is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts. This study addresses this imperative by simulating a green hydrogen supply chain tailored for residential cooking in Oman. The supply chain encompasses solar energy production underground storage pipeline transportation and residential application aiming to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). The simulation results su Read More
Recent Advances in Hydrogen Production, Storage and Fuel Cell Technologies with an Emphasis on Inventions, Innovations and Commercialization
Nov 2023
Publication
The future is bright for hydrogen as a clean mobile energy source to replace petroleum products. This paper examines new and emerging technologies for hydrogen production storage and conversion and highlights recent commercialization efforts to realize its potential. Also the paper presents selected notable patents issued within the last few years. There is no shortage of inventions and innovations in hydrogen technologies in both academia and industr Read More
Distributed Waste-to-hydrogen Refuelling Station Implementation in South Africa: Techno-economic-socio-political and Environmental Indications
Feb 2025
Publication
The combustion of liquid fossil fuels in the transportation sector disposal and incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in cities across the world. In an effort to decarbonize the transportation sector the South African government is dedicated to advancing green trans portation through the hydrogen economy. Waste-to-hydrogen production can simultaneously achieve the goals of green transportation and Read More
The Potential Role of Africa in Green Hydrogen Production: A Short-Term Roadmap to Protect the World’s Future from Climate Crisis
Feb 2025
Publication
The global need for energy has risen sharply recently. A global shift to clean energy is urgently needed to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. Hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a potential alternative energy source with near-net-zero emissions. In the African continent for sustainable access to clean energy and the transition away from fossil fuels this paper presents a new approach through which waste energy can produce green hydrogen from biomass. Bio- Read More
Barriers to Creating a Market for Hydrogen: Insights from Global Roadmaps and Stakeholders in the United States
Feb 2025
Publication
We analyze barriers to setting up a hydrogen market by using a PESTEL framework that examines political economic social technological environmental and legal barriers. This framework is advantageous for analyzing macro-environmental factors to understand potential challenges and opportunities in creating such a market. Internationally the framework was applied to analyzing barriers in 56 national hydrogen roadmaps and domestically in the U.S. to s Read More
Analysis of Corporate Acceptance of Hydrogen Energy Technology Based on the Extended Technology Acceptance Model
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen holds an important strategic position in the energy systems of many countries. Many studies have analyzed the acceptance of hydrogen energy technology from the public’s perspective but few have examined it from the corporate perspective. This paper establishes a technology acceptance model and employs structural equation modeling to investigate the factors affecting the acceptance of hydrogen energy technology within enterprises. A Read More
Energy Transition Outlook - UK 2025
Feb 2025
Publication
In the wake of unprecedented global weather events and the ever-pressing urgency of climate change the discourse around energy transition has become more critical than ever.The United Kingdom once at the forefront of the energy transition movement finds itself at a crossroads. The initial rapid progress towards a low-carbon future is now facing hurdles threatening the achievement of the 'net zero by 2050' target.This revelation comes from the thi Read More
AI-ML Techniques for Green Hydrogen: A Comprehensive Review
Feb 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen is a cleaner source to replace fossil-based fuels and is critical in the global shift toward energy production to combat climate change. This review of embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the value chain of green hydrogen outlines the significant potential for full transformation. These include optimizing the utilization of renewable sources of energy improving electrolysis process hydrogen storage in the sal Read More
The Making of H2-scapes in the Global South: Political Geography Perspectives on an Emergent Field of Research
Feb 2025
Publication
Clean hydrogen is touted as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. It can help to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors ship renewable power over great distances and boost energy security. Clean hydrogen’s appeal is increasingly felt in the Global South where countries seek to benefit from production export and consumption opportunities new infrastructures and technological innovations. These geographies are however in the process of taking Read More
Speculative Connections: Port Authorities, Littoral Territories and the Assembling of the Green Hydrogen Frontier
Feb 2025
Publication
This article examines the role of European port authorities in assembling the green hydrogen frontier through the production of speculative connections with prospective hydrogen export zones in the global South. Specifically it analyses the role of a particular discursive tool the pre-feasibility report in fixing the meaning of Namibian territory for the purposes of green hydrogen export disembedding hydrogen products from the social political and ecologica Read More
How the Boundaries of the Supply Chain Affect Climate Profile: The Case of Renewable Electricity and Green Hydrogen for Italy and the UK
Feb 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen obtained from renewable electricity can play an essential role in the decarbonization of different sectors. The reliability of the data used to model the entire supply chain is a crucial parameter in Life Cycle Assessment. In this study the authors show how photovoltaic and wind electricity supply chains influence the carbon footprint of green H2. While most published studies rely on default datasets from commercial libraries the current wor Read More
Connotation, Innovation and Vision of "Carbon Neutrality"
Sep 2021
Publication
Global climate change caused by geological processes is one of the main causes of the 5 global mass extinctions in geological history. Human industrialization activities have caused serious damage to the ecosystem the greenhouse effect of atmospheric CO2 has intensified and the living environment is facing threats and challenges. Carbon neutrality is the active action and common goal of mankind in the face of the climate change crisis therefore probi Read More
Technoeconomic Assessment of Various Configurations Photovoltaic Systems for Energy and Hydrogen Production
Feb 2023
Publication
Photovoltaic (PV) system grid integration is becoming more global to minimize carbon emissions from traditional power systems.However alternative solution investigation for maximum technical and economic benefits is often neglected when integrating PVsystems. This study utilizes a methodology for evaluating the lifecycle energy generation and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) ofPV systems with various configurations using a holistic approach that consid Read More
Policy Supports for the Deployment of Solar Fuels: Islands as Test-beds for a Rapid Green Transition
May 2023
Publication
Coastal areas particularly islands are especially vulnerable to climate change due to their geographic and climate conditions. Reaching decarbonisation targets is a long process which will require radical changes and ‘out of the box’ thinking. In this context islands have become laboratories for the green transition by providing spaces for exploring possibilities and alternatives. Here we explore how hydrogen (H2) energy technologies can be a critical Read More
Catalysis as a Driver for Sustainable Technologies in Africa - A Perspective by the Catalysis Institute at the University of Cape Town
Mar 2023
Publication
One of the biggest global challenges we are facing today is the provision of affordable green and sustainable energy to a growing population. Enshrined in multiple United Nation Sustainable Development Goals – Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and Goal 13: Climate Action – as well as at the core of the Paris Agreement it is our task as scientists and Read More
The Many Greenhouse Gas Footprints of Green Hydrogen
Aug 2022
Publication
Green hydrogen could contribute to climate change mitigation but its greenhouse gas footprint varies with electricity source and allocation choices. Using life-cycle assessment we conclude that if electricity comes from additional renewable capacity green hydrogen outperforms fossil-based hydrogen. In the short run alternative uses of renewable electricity likely achieve greater emission reductions.
Does the Public Want Green Hydrogen in Industry? Local and National Acceptance of Methanol and Steel Transitions in Germany
Feb 2025
Publication
Public perceptions might determine the ease of the transition from a fossil-based to a green hydrogen-based production pathway in the industrial sector. The primary objective of this paper is to empirically identify the antecedents of the acceptance of two relevant industrial applications of green hydrogen: green methanol and green steel. The analysis relying on linear regression models utilises survey data from samples of residents near a chemical park an Read More
Challenges and Potentials for Additive Manufacturing of Hydrogen Energy Components: A Review
Mar 2025
Publication
Climate change necessitates the development of sustainable energy systems with hydrogen technologies playing a key role in this transition. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers a significant potential to enhance the efficiency of hydrogen energy components and reduce their costs through rapid prototyping design freedom and functional integration. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of the current state of research on the applicati Read More
The Transition to an Eco-Friendly City as a First Step Toward Climate Neutrality with Green Hydrogen
Mar 2025
Publication
A city of the future will need to be eco-friendly while meeting general social and economic requirements. Hydrogen-based technologies provide solutions for initially limiting CO2 emissions with prospects indicating complete decarbonization in the future. Cities will need to adopt and integrate these technologies to avoid a gap between the development of hydrogen production and its urban application. Achievable results are analyzed by injecting hydrogen int Read More
Current Challenges to Achieving Mass-Market Hydrogen Mobility from the Perspective of Early Adopters in South Korea
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen mobility is expected to be a crucial element in decarbonizing fossil fuel-based transportation. In South Korea hydrogen mobility has successfully formed an early market led by fuel cell passenger cars under strong support policies. Nevertheless the fuel cell vehicle (FCV) market is still in its infancy and current challenges must be overcome to achieve mass-market adoption. This study aims to identify the current challenges in the diffusion of FCVs Read More
The Role of Hydrogen in Integrated Assessment Models: A Review of Recent Developments
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is emerging as a crucial energy source in the global effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and meet climate goals. Integrating hydrogen into Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) is essential for understanding its potential and guiding policy decisions. These models simulate various energy scenarios assess hydrogen’s impact on emissions and evaluate its economic viability. However uncertainties surrounding hydrogen technologies must be eff Read More
The Global Yet Local Nature of Energy Imaginaries: The Cases of Dutch and Spanish Hydrogen Valleys
Mar 2025
Publication
Hydrogen valleys are envisaged (imagined) integrated industrial systems where hydrogen is produced stored and utilized. Here we show how hydrogen valleys as sociotechnical imaginaries are differentiated in terms of their specific configurations but homogenous in terms of reflecting the interests of large industrial fossil fuel suppliers and consumers. This path dependence is anticipated in sociotechnical transitions theory which emphasises the power Read More
Stakeholder and Techno-Economic Assessment of Iceland’s Green Hydrogen Economy
Mar 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for the decarbonization of hard-toabate sectors and supporting renewable energy integration aligning with carbon neutrality goals like the European Green Deal. Iceland’s abundant renewable energy and decarbonized electricity system position it as a strong candidate for green hydrogen production. Despite early initiatives its hydrogen economy has yet to significantly expand. This study evaluated Icela Read More
The Green Hydrogen Ambition and Implementation Gap
Jan 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen is critical for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors but it faces high costs and investment risks. Here we defne and quantify the green hydrogen ambition and implementation gap showing that meeting hydrogen expectations will remain challenging despite surging announcements of projects and subsidies. Tracking 190 projects over 3 years we identify a wide 2023 implementation gap with only 7% of global capacity announcements fnis Read More
Thermodynamic Integration in Combined Fuel and Power Plants Producing Low Carbon Hydrogen and Power with CCUS
Dec 2024
Publication
Demand for low-carbon sources of hydrogen and power is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years. Individually steam methane reformers (SMRs) and combined cycle gas power plants (CCGTs) when combined with carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) can produce large quantities of ondemand decarbonised hydrogen and power respectively. The ongoing trend towards the development of CCUS clusters means that both processes may op Read More
Strategic Hydrogen Management: Driving a Sustainable Energy Future
Mar 2025
Publication
The concept of sustainability and green energy has become increasingly relevant in our lives especially in the face of climate change and the growing demand for sustainable solutions in the energy sector. Driven by renewable energies there is a continuous effort to research and develop alternative energy sources and fuels. In this context the European Union (EU) Strategy for Hydrogen (H) has emerged placing this source as one of the central pillars Read More
Anion-exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
Apr 2022
Publication
This Review provides an overview of the emerging concepts of catalystsmembranes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for water electrolyzers with anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) also known as zero-gap alkaline water electrolyzers. Much ofthe recent progress is due to improvements in materials chemistry MEA designs andoptimized operation conditions. Research on anion-exchange polymers (AEPs) has focusedon the cationic head/backbo Read More
Direct-Coupled Improvement of a Solar-Powered Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer by a Reconfigurable Source
Sep 2024
Publication
This paper deals with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers directly coupled with a photovoltaic source. It proposes a method to increase the energy delivered to the electrolyzer by reconfiguring the electrical connection of the arrays according to solar radiation. Unlike the design criterion proposed by the literature the suggested approach considers a source obtained by connecting arrays in parallel depending on solar radiation based on a fix Read More
The German Scramble for Green Hydrogen in Namibia: Colonial Legacies Revisited?
Feb 2025
Publication
Namibia is positioning itself as a green hydrogen superpower to supply the German market with the muchneeded energy carrier. While the hydrogen hype is marketed as a pathway facilitating the German and Euro pean green transition that is mutually beneficial for African interests social movements and affected commu nities have been denouncing green colonialist tendencies of the hydrogen rush. This paper is centring these claims. Applying a heuristic of Read More
Mapping China's Hydrogen Energy City Clusters: Old and New Synergistic Effects
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is a pivotal driver of the green economy and clean energy transition and global efforts are underway to scale up hydrogen technology and its adoption. This study explores China’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) city clusters policy launched in 2021 involving five clusters consisting of 44 cities to boost the country’s hydrogen economy. Drawing on cluster theory collaborative network literature and evolutionary economic geography we inves Read More
Participatory Mapping of Local Green Hydrogen Cost-potentials in Sub-Saharan Africa
Mar 2025
Publication
C. Winkler,
Heidi Heinrichs,
S. Ishmam,
B. Bayat,
Amin Lahnaoui,
Solomon Nwabueze Agbo,
E.U. Pena Sanchez,
David Franzmann,
N. Oijeabou,
C. Koerner,
Y. Michael,
B. Oloruntoba,
C. Montzka,
H. Vereecken,
H. Hendricks Franssen,
J. Brendt,
S. Brauner,
Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs,
S. Venghaus,
Daouda Kone,
Bruno Korgo,
Kehinde Olufunso Ogunjobi,
Jane Olwoch,
V. Chiteculo,
Z. Getenga,
Jochen Linßen and
Detlef Stolten
Green hydrogen is a promising solution within carbon free energy systems with Sub-Saharan Africa being a possibly well-suited candidate for its production. However green hydrogen production in Sub-Saharan Africa is not yet investigated in detail. This work determines the cost-potential for green hydrogen production within this region. Therefore a potential analysis for PV wind and hydropower groundwater analysis and energy systems optimization a Read More
Governance of Future-making: Green Hydrogen in Namibia and South Africa
Feb 2025
Publication
The green-hydrogen sector has created considerable expectations in the Global South about export-oriented development and industrial path creation. However whether and how these expectations are really materializing requires further scrutiny. This article develops a conceptual approach that we call governance of futuremaking. Thereby we want to understand how actors try to coordinate their expectations about future economic development Read More
Challenges and Opportunities in Green Hydrogen Supply Chain through Metaheuristic Optimisation
May 2023
Publication
A comprehensive analysis of the green hydrogen supply chain is presented in this paper encompassing production storage transportation and consumption with a focus on the application of metaheuristic optimization. The challenges associated with each stage are highlighted and the potential of metaheuristic optimization methods to address these challenges is discussed. The primary method of green hydrogen production water electrolysis through ren Read More
Investment Needs of European Energy Infrastructure to Enable a Decarbonised Economy
Jan 2025
Publication
The aim of this project is to identify the investment requirements for energy infrastructure across each TEN-E infrastructure category as well as for non-TEN-E electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in order to enable a decarbonised economy in the EU. It also evaluates the need for EU financial support and explores possible forms of EU funding to address the identified needs within the scope of this study's assessment.
Delivering the EU Green Deal: Progress Towards Targets 2025
Jan 2025
Publication
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of progress towards the European Green Deal (EGD) the European Union’s transformative agenda for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The analysis encompasses 154 quantifiable targets from 44 policy documents between 2019 and 2024 across key sectors such as climate energy circular economy transport agriculture and food ecosystems and biodiversity water soil and air pollution. The study Read More
Sustainable Supply Chain and Industrialisation of Hydrogen Technologies, Summary Report 2024
Jan 2024
Publication
This report delves into the European renewable hydrogen supply chain to offer recommendations for Europe to become a leader in the hydrogen economy.
Overall Strategic Analysis of Clean Energy Technology in the European Union
Jan 2025
Publication
This report by the Clean Energy Technology Observatory (CETO) provides an updated strategic analysis of the EU clean energy technology sector. The EU's renewable share in gross final energy consumption rose to 24.5% in 2023 and to 44.7% of gross electricity consumption. The electrification rate however has remained almost unchanged at 26% over the decade to 2023 indicating slow progress on decarbonisation of transport and heating sectors. The E Read More
Hydrogen Production via Direct Seawater Electrolyisis, Literature Review
Jan 2025
Publication
Seawater electrolysis is a promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production that could alleviate the ever-growing demand for freshwater resources. This literature review synthesizes current research on direct seawater electrolysis drawing attention to advances in electrode materials catalyst efficiency and system design. Furthermore an overview of indirect seawater electrolysis is given as a benchmark. Key challenges including electrode corrosi Read More
Hydrogen for a Sustainable Europe
Nov 2024
Publication
This brochure provides a detailed overview of the EU’s funding mechanisms and an inspiring look at real projects managed by CINEA. These examples illustrate how diverse stakeholders from industry leaders to research institutions are translating hydrogen ambitions into impactful on-the-ground solutions that address both technological and societal needs.
Public Acceptance of the Underground Storage of Hydrogen: Lessons Learned from the Geological Storage of CO2
Mar 2025
Publication
The successful commercialisation of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is contingent upon technological readiness and social acceptance. A lack of social acceptance inadequate policies/regulations an unreliable business case and environmental uncertainty have the potential to delay or prevent UHS commercialisation even in cases where it is ready. The technologies utilised for underground hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage are analogous. Read More
Providing Solutions to Decarbonize Energy-Intensive Industries for a Sustainable Future in Egypt by 2050
Mar 2025
Publication
Around 75% of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are generated by the combustion of fossil fuels (FFs) for energy production. Tackling climate change requires a global shift away from FF reliance and the decarbonization of energy systems. The energy manufacturing and construction sectors contribute a significant portion of Egypt’s total GHG emissions largely due to the reliance on fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries (EIIs). Decar Read More
Large Scale Power-to-X Production Enabling Hydrogen Valleys: A Case Study of Future Industrial Hydrogen Valley Opportunity in Finland
Mar 2025
Publication
Many industrial processes such as ammonia fuel or steel production require considerable amounts of fossil feedstocks contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these fossil feedstocks and processes can be decarbonised via Power-to-X (P2X) production concepts based on hydrogen (H2) requiring considerable amounts of renewable electricity. Creating hydrogen valleys (HV) may facilitate a cost-efficient H2 production feeding Read More
Quantifying Key Economic Uncertainties in the Cost of Trading Green Hydrogen
Mar 2025
Publication
In a fully decarbonized global energy system hydrogen is likely to be one of few energy vectors that can facilitate long-distance export of renewable energy. However because of divergent literature findings consensus is yet to be reached on the total supply chain costs of shipping hydrogen either as a cryogenic liquid or ammonia. To this end this article presents a detailed process systems-based economic analysis of a typical hydrogen value chain in 2050 Read More
Green Tides: The Suez Canal as Key Hub and Green Corridor for a Hydrogen Future Between the Middle East and Europe
Feb 2025
Publication
The shipping industry faces the dual challenge of reducing emissions to meet net-zero targets by 2050 and transporting green energy sources like hydrogen and its derivatives. Green shipping corridors provide experimental routes for lowcarbon solutions with the Suez Canal uniquely positioned to lead. This paper examines the canal’s evolving role as a dynamic energy space where diverse actors and networks intersect shaping spatial power relations and ali Read More
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