Major similarities in different countries’ strategies in how the hydrogen economy is to be developed
Berlin, 19 December 2022
acatech and DECHEMA present analysis of international hydrogen strategies
Today acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, and DECHEMA, Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, have published an analysis of international hydrogen strategies as part of the joint H2-Compass project. The analysis compares national hydrogen strategies, hydrogen roadmaps and policy papers from 22 countries or regions that were published between 2017 and 2022. The plan is to add further strategies in the future and update the analysis.
Various countries and regions have documented plans for the production and use of hydrogen in national hydrogen strategies, hydrogen roadmaps or policy papers. The authors of the analysis have studied the strategies of the following countries and regions ( publication years are listed in parentheses): China (2017), Japan (2017), California (2018), South Korea (2019), Australia (2019), the Netherlands (2020), Germany (2020), Norway (2020), the European Union (2020), Portugal (2020), France (2020), Chile (2020), Spain (2020), Italy (2020), the USA (2020), Canada (2020), Hungary (2021), Poland (2021), the United Kingdom (2021), Russia (2021), Morocco (2021), Czech Republic (2022). All strategies were drawn up prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Comparing hydrogen strategies enables us to identify priority areas of application, specific approaches and potential trading partners,” Dr. Andrea Lübcke, acatech’s H2-Compass project manager, summed up.
The focus on green hydrogen dominates the strategies reviewed
The strategy papers reviewed aim for hydrogen production using electrolysers, mainly powered with renewable energy. In some strategies, however, blue hydrogen is mentioned as an interim solution. Blue hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels (e.g. coal or natural gas) by means of steam reforming or gasification. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted is captured, stored or used. “In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is quite likely that European countries in particular will change their position on blue hydrogen, as we can assume that natural gas will no longer be used for hydrogen production,” said Dr. Jens Artz, project manager of H2-Compass at DECHEMA, putting the results into context. Germany is planning to update its own hydrogen strategy.
Chile, Spain, Portugal and Morocco intend to export green hydrogen
Given the favourable conditions arising out of a plentiful supply of renewable energy, Chile, Spain, Portugal and Morocco have declared their intention to export green hydrogen (produced in electrolysers using green electricity). Australia, Canada and Norway indicate that they also plan to export hydrogen produced from fossil resources.
As a country that will be dependent on hydrogen imports, Germany is well advised to closely observe the developments in countries already planning to export green hydrogen.
Dr. Andrea Lübcke, acatech’s project manager H2-Compass
Various strategies for hydrogen use
Many countries aim to use hydrogen in industrial sectors that already have a high demand for hydrogen and have the necessary infrastructure in place. The strategies mainly mention the chemicals industry and refineries. In terms of heat and energy applications, the time frame for the use of hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives is mostly medium- to long-term.
In the transport sector, most countries aim to use hydrogen in (heavy) goods transport and in fleet operator alliances in the short- to medium-term. There are considerable differences in the countries’ strategies for cars: China and California have published a dedicated strategy to ramp up fuel cell vehicles. Japan, South Korea, the USA, Canada and Netherlands are planning the early adoption of hydrogen in private motor vehicles. Germany, Norway, European Union, France, Chile, Spain, Hungary, United Kingdom and Morocco do not mention hydrogen cars in their strategies.
Major similarities in how the national hydrogen economy is to be developed
The process of how a country develops its hydrogen economy is described in similar terms in many national strategies. 20 out of 22 strategies rely on state funding, 18 out of 22 on the development of international partnerships in relation to science and trade. The majority describe the need to develop the infrastructure and reduce production costs. Most also aim for unified regulation and certificates.
Further information
Country analysis of international hydrogen strategies (in German)