Low-emission hydrogen will multiply

Low-emission hydrogen production will increase from less than one million tonnes in 2021 to a higher value of 16 to 24 million tonnes in 2030. According to the International Energy Agency, if the projects that are currently in the pipeline come to fruition, the figure could be even higher and is great news for the environment.

A report published on September 22 reports that global demand reached about 94 million tons in 2021, surpassing the previous record of 2019 that showed 91 million.

However, so-called low-emission hydrogen has only managed to represent less than one million tons and, in addition, almost all of it has been generated in plants that burn fossil fuels and then capture the_CO2 emissions they generate to store or even use it. In other words, the use of renewable energies was minimal.

According to experts, with the policies that are applied now, total production will increase to 115 million tons in 2030 and low-emission hydrogen could be at most 20%.

Greater commitment

But the agency estimates that if governments fully meet their climate commitments, that number could rise to 130 million, and the percentage of low emissions would exceed 25%.

If the scheduled electrolyzer projects were completed and this increase in manufacturing capacities was met, costs could be reduced by 70% by the beginning of the next decade compared to today.

The IEA insists that for low-emission hydrogen to cease to have the marginal role it now plays, “greater political support” is needed.

Source: Kissfm