Policy & Socio-Economics

Many factors to be appropriately addressed in moving towards energy sustainability are examined. These include harnessing sustainable energy sources utilizing sustainable energy carriers increasing efficiency reducing environmental impact and improving socioeconomic acceptability. The latter factor includes community involvement and social acceptability economic affordability and equity lifestyles land use and aesthetics. Numerous illustrations demonstrate measures consistent with the approach put forward and options for energy sustainability and the broader objective of sustainability. Energy sustainability is of great importance to overall sustainability given the pervasiveness of energy use its importance in economic development and living standards and its impact on the environment.

This review aims to enhance the understanding of the fundamentals applications and future directions in hydrogen production techniques. It highlights that the hydrogen economy depends on abundant non-dispatchable renewable energy from wind and solar to produce green hydrogen using excess electricity. The approach is not limited solely to existing methodologies but also explores the latest innovations in this dynamic field. It explores parameters that influence hydrogen production highlighting the importance of adequately controlling the temperature and concentration of the electrolytic medium to optimize the chemical reactions involved and ensure more efficient production. Additionally a synthesis of the means of transport and materials used for the efficient storage of hydrogen is conducted. These factors are essential for the practical feasibility and successful deployment of technologies utilizing this energy resource. Finally the technological innovations that are shaping the future of sustainable use of this energy resource are emphasized presenting a more efficient alternative compared to the fossil fuels currently used by society. In this context concrete examples that illustrate the application of hydrogen in emerging technologies are highlighted encompassing sectors such as transportation and the harnessing of renewable energy for green hydrogen production.

Industrial applications of hydrogen are key to the transition towards a sustainable lowcarbon economy. Hydrogen has the potential to decarbonize industrial sectors that currently rely heavily on fossil fuels. Hydrogen with its unique and versatile properties has several in-industrial applications that are fundamental for sustainability and energy efficiency such as the following: (i) chemical industry; (ii) metallurgical sector; (iii) transport; (iv) energy sector; and (v) agrifood sector. The development of a bibliometric analysis of industrial hydrogen applications in Europe is crucial to understand and guide developments in this emerging field. Such an analysis can identify research trends collaborations between institutions and countries and the areas of greatest impact and growth. By examining the scientific literature and comparing it with final hydrogen consumption in different regions of Europe the main actors and technologies that are driving innovation in industrial hydrogen use on the continent can be identified. The results obtained allow for an assessment of the knowledge gaps and technological challenges that need to be addressed to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen in various industrial sectors. This is essential to guide future investments and public policies towards strategic areas that maximize the economic and environmental impact of industrial hydrogen applications in Europe.

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy is being promoted to decarbonise global energy systems. To support this energy transition standards certification and labelling schemes (SCLs) aim to differentiate hydrogen products based on their system-wide carbon emissions and method of production characteristics. However being certified as low-carbon clean or green hydrogen does not guarantee broader sustainability across economic environmental social or governance dimensions. Through an international survey of energy-sector and sustainability professionals (n = 179) we investigated the desirable sustainability features for renewable hydrogen SCLs and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of sustainability certification. Our mixed-method study revealed general accordance on the feasible inclusion of diverse sustainability criteria in SCLs albeit with varying degrees of perceived essentiality. Within the confines of the data some differences in viewpoints emerged based on respondents’ geographical and supply chain locations which were associated with the sharing of costs and benefits. Qualitatively respondents found the idea of SCL harmonisation attractive but weighed this against the risks of duplication complicated administrative procedures and contradictory regulation. The implications of this research centre on the need for further studies to inform policy recommendations for an overarching SCL sustainability framework that embodies the principles of harmonisation in the context of multistakeholder governance.

Japan has formulated a net-zero emissions target by 2050. Existing scenarios consistent with this target generally depend on carbon dioxide removal (CDR). In addition to domestic mitigation actions the import of low-carbon energy carriers such as hydrogen and synfuels and negative emissions credits are alternative options for achieving net-zero emissions in Japan. Although the potential and costs of these actions depend on global energy system transition characteristics which can potentially be informed by the global integrated assessment models they are not considered in current national scenario assessments. This study explores diverse options for achieving Japan's net-zero emissions target by 2050 using a national energy system model informed by international energy trade and emission credits costs estimated with a global energy system model. We found that demand-side electrification and approximately 100 Mt-CO2 per year of CDR implementation equivalent to approximately 10% of the current national CO2 emissions are essential across all net-zero emissions scenarios. Upscaling of domestically generated hydrogen-based alternative fuels and energy demand reduction can avoid further reliance on CDR. While imports of hydrogen-based energy carriers and emission credits are effective options annual import costs exceed the current cost of fossil fuel imports. In addition import dependency reaches approximately 50% in the scenario relying on hydrogen imports. This study highlights the importance of considering global trade when developing national net-zero emissions scenarios and describes potential new roles for global models.

Transforming Europe into a climate neutral economy and society by 2050 requires extraordinary efforts and the mobilisation of all sectors and economic actors coupled with all the creative and brain power one can imagine. Each sector has to fundamentally rethink the way it operates to ensure it can be transformed towards this new net-zero paradigm without jeopardising other environmental and societal objectives both within the EU and globally. Given the scale of the transformation ahead our ability to meet climate neutrality targets directly depends on our ability to innovate. In this context Research & Innovation programmes have a key role to play and it is crucial to ensure they are fit for purpose and well equipped to support the next wave of breakthrough innovations that will be required to achieve climate neutrality in the EU and globally by 2050. The objective of this study is to contribute to these strategic planning discussions by not only identifying high-risk and high-impact climate mitigation solutions but most importantly look beyond individual solutions and consider how systemic interactions of climate change mitigation approaches can be integrated in the development of R&I agendas.

Developing countries including Ghana face challenges ensuring access to clean and reliable cooking fuels and technologies. Traditional biomass sources mainly used in most developing countries for cooking contribute to deforestation and indoor air pollution necessitating a shift towards environmentally friendly alternatives. The study’s primary objective is to evaluate the economic viability of using solar PV-based green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for cooking in Ghana. The study adopted well-established equations to investigate the economic performance of the proposed system. The findings revealed that the levelized cost of hydrogen using the discounted cash flow approach is about 89% 155% and 190% more than electricity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and charcoal. This implies that using the hydrogen produced for cooking fuel is not cost-competitive compared to LPG charcoal and electricity. However with sufficient capital subsidies to lower the upfront costs the analysis suggests solar PV-based hydrogen could become an attractive alternative cooking fuel. In addition switching from firewood to solar PVbased hydrogen for cooking yields the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions savings across the cities analysed. Likewise replacing charcoal with hydrogen also offers substantial CO2 emissions savings though lower than switching from firewood. Correspondingly switching from LPG to hydrogen produces lower CO2 emissions savings than firewood and charcoal. The study findings could contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable energy solutions offering practical insights for policymakers researchers and industry stakeholders seeking to promote clean cooking adoption in developing economies.

The role of hydrogen in energy system decarbonization is being actively examined by the research and policy communities. We evaluate the potential “hydrogen economy” in global climate change mitigation scenarios using the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM). We consider major hydrogen production methods in conjunction with delivery options to understand how hydrogen infrastructure affects its deployment. We also consider a rich set of hydrogen end-use technologies and vary their costs to understand how demand technologies affect deployment. We find that the availability of hydrogen transmission and distribution infrastructure primarily affects the hydrogen production mix particularly the share produced centrally versus on-site whereas assumptions about end-use technology primarily affect the scale of hydrogen deployment. In effect hydrogen can be a source of distributed energy enabled by on-site renewable electrolysis and to a lesser extent by on-site production at industrial facilities using natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS). While the share of hydrogen in final energy is small relative to the share of other major energy carriers in our scenarios hydrogen enables decarbonization in difficult-to-electrify end uses such as industrial high-temperature heat. Hydrogen deployment and in turn its contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation increases as the climate objective is tightened.

The report provides a detailed examination of the biofuel sector and advanced biofuel sector within the European Union (EU) focusing on its economic environmental and technological dimensions. The report is an update of the CETO 2023 report. The EU is highlighted as the central point of view with specific references to EU Member States showcasing their roles in the sector. The report is essential for understanding the multifaceted role of advanced biofuels in the EU's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. The report underscores the EU's commitment through various policies and directives such as the Renewable Energy Directive and its amendment which set sustainability criteria and define advanced biofuels. The report details the EU's leadership in scientific publications and high-value patents in the advanced biofuel sector. It gives insights into the current state of innovation and the areas where the EU is leading. The report delves into technological advancements and challenges in the biofuel sector. It discusses various advanced biofuel technologies currently being developed and commercialised. The report covers the trends in installed capacity and production of biofuels within the EU providing a comparative analysis with other regions. It details the production capacities and operational plants for bioethanol and biodiesel. The report provides comprehensive data on the economic contributions of the advanced biofuel sector to the EU's economy. The report details the sector's impact on GDP and employment highlighting the significant contributions from operation and maintenance feedstock supply construction and equipment manufacturing. The report emphasises the importance of continued investment technological development and international collaboration to ensure the advanced biofuel sector's growth and sustainability.

Importing substantial amount of green hydrogen from countries like South Africa which have abundant solar and wind potentials to replace fossil fuels has attracted interest in developed regions. This study analyses South African strategies for improving and decarbonizing the power sector while also producing hydrogen for export. These strategies include the Integrated Resource Plan the Transmission Development Plan Just Energy Transition and Hydrogen Society Roadmap for grid connected hydrogen production in 2030. Results based on an hourly resolution optimisation in Plexos indicate that annual grid-connected hydrogen production of 500 kt can lead to a 20–25% increase in the cost of electricity in scenarios with lower renewable energy penetration due to South African emission constraints by 2030. While the price of electricity is still in acceptable range and the price of hydrogen can be competitive on the international market (2–3 USD/kgH2 for production) the emission factor of this hydrogen is higher than the one of grey hydrogen ranging from 13 to 24 kgCO2/kgh2. When attempting to reach emission factors based on EU directives the three policy roadmaps become unfeasible and free capacity expansion results in significant sixteen-fold increase of wind and seven-fold increase in solar installations compared to 2023 levels by 2030 in South Africa.