Decarbonisation Drive: The Growing Significance of Low-Carbon Hydrogen in Various Industries
Key Ideas
- The demand for low-carbon hydrogen is expected to surge as industries shift towards decarbonisation efforts, particularly in sectors like steel, cement, transportation, and power generation.
- GlobalData's report underlines the pivotal role of low-carbon hydrogen in reducing emissions in energy-intensive industry verticals and its potential in the transportation sector for marine and heavy vehicle applications.
- Oil and gas companies are driving the growth of hydrogen, with blue and green hydrogen production being the main focus for decarbonisation strategies and net-zero goals.
- The global hydrogen economy is at a critical juncture with a significant increase in low-carbon hydrogen projects, signaling a shift towards greener energy sources and the need for an expanded hydrogen distribution network.
The adoption of low-carbon hydrogen is gaining momentum as industries worldwide aim to decarbonize their operations. GlobalData's latest report emphasizes the growing demand for hydrogen in key sectors like steel, cement, transportation, and power generation. Notably, the oil and gas industry is leading this transition, utilizing hydrogen in refining and petrochemical processes. Industries such as metallurgy, power generation, and transportation are also set to drive the demand for hydrogen in the near future.
Ravindra Puranik, an Oil and Gas analyst at GlobalData, highlights the importance of low-carbon hydrogen in reducing emissions for energy-intensive industries. The shift to low-carbon hydrogen is crucial for downstream oil and gas processes, offering environmental benefits and potential applications in transportation, especially for marine and heavy vehicles.
While purple and turquoise hydrogen are expected to play a minor role in the sector's growth, the majority of upcoming low carbon hydrogen capacity will stem from green hydrogen plants. Oil and gas companies are increasingly investing in blue and green hydrogen production to achieve decarbonisation targets. However, the expansion of the hydrogen distribution network, including the development of new pipelines, remains a critical aspect for scaling up hydrogen usage.
The report indicates a surge in low-carbon hydrogen projects, with around 75% of these projects in the feasibility stage, reflecting the industry's commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. Oil and gas companies are at the forefront of this shift, with plans to operationalize new blue and green hydrogen plants by 2030. The development of the global hydrogen economy hinges on the expansion and success of these projects, setting the stage for a greener and more sustainable energy landscape in the future.