Decarbonizing EU Industry: The Role of Hydrogen
Key Ideas
- The report examines the current use of hydrogen in EU industry, particularly in refining and chemical sectors, emphasizing the need for clean hydrogen production.
- Data from 2023 reveals the challenge and opportunity of decarbonizing existing hydrogen production to tackle heavy industry emissions.
- It shifts the debate from abstract figures to focusing on hydrogen demand centers, urging investments in infrastructure for clean hydrogen supply.
- The report stresses the importance of transitioning from natural gas to electrolytic hydrogen while addressing the necessary infrastructure upgrades for supply distribution.
The report by the Clean Air Task Force delves into the role of hydrogen in the industrial sector across the EU 27, with a focus on refining and chemical industries. It underscores the crucial need for clean hydrogen production and advocates for decarbonizing existing hydrogen production processes to reduce emissions in heavy industry. By analyzing data from 2023, the report highlights the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to clean hydrogen production. It urges a shift in the discussion towards hydrogen demand centers, which currently heavily rely on natural gas-based hydrogen. Even as electrolytic hydrogen is expected to become the primary source in the future, the report emphasizes the necessity of immediate infrastructure investments, including decarbonization of the electric grid, to support the distribution of clean hydrogen to existing demand centers. The overall sentiment of the report is positive, emphasizing the potential for decarbonization and the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support the shift towards clean hydrogen in EU industries.