Europe's 2050 Hydrogen Demand Insights and Infrastructure Needs
Key Ideas
  • Steel and chemical industries are projected to be the primary drivers of Europe's hydrogen economy by 2050, with a combined demand of 500-600 TWh, necessitating imports and extensive electrolyzer deployment.
  • A pan-European hydrogen backbone network is deemed crucial to link production, storage, and consumption hubs efficiently, highlighting the importance of spatial and temporal alignment of hydrogen availability with demand.
  • The transportation sector is identified as the second-largest consumer of hydrogen, particularly in aviation and shipping, with a forecasted demand of 450 TWh for green fuels by 2050, emphasizing the need for fuel cell technology.
  • Hydrogen production in Europe is contingent on meeting renewable energy expansion targets, with electrolysers expected to play a significant role in sector coupling and energy network flexibility, supporting the transition to a hydrogen-based energy system.
A recent white paper from the BMBF's hydrogen flagship project TransHyDE System Analysis, coordinated by Fraunhofer IEG and DECHEMA e.V., sheds light on Europe's future hydrogen landscape. The report forecasts a minimum demand of 700 TWh of hydrogen in 2050, primarily driven by the steel and chemical industries, which could require significant imports and the widespread deployment of electrolysers. To meet these demands, the establishment of a pan-European hydrogen backbone network is deemed essential to efficiently connect various production, storage, and consumption sites. The study also highlights the pivotal role of hydrogen in high-temperature industrial processes, transport fuels, and energy-intensive applications, emphasizing the need for aligning hydrogen availability with specific industry requirements. Additionally, the report addresses the uncertainties surrounding hydrogen production, stressing the importance of achieving ambitious renewable energy goals to sustainably produce green hydrogen. Electrolysers are anticipated to evolve as key components in integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring a stable hydrogen supply for industrial uses. The white paper also discusses the significance of developing robust transport and storage infrastructure for hydrogen derivatives, with a focus on repurposing existing natural gas pipelines and establishing a well-connected hydrogen backbone network across Europe. Overall, the findings underscore the promising prospects of hydrogen in Europe's energy transition, provided that infrastructure, production, and demand aspects are effectively synchronized and supported by strategic investments and collaborations.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2024 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.