TY - JOUR
T1 - On the feasibility of direct hydrogen utilisation in a fossil-free Europe
AU - Korberg, Andrei David
AU - Thellufsen, Jakob Zinck
AU - Skov, Iva Ridjan
AU - Chang, Miguel
AU - Paardekooper, Susana
AU - Lund, Henrik
AU - Mathiesen, Brian Vad
PY - 2023/1/26
Y1 - 2023/1/26
N2 - Hydrogen is often suggested as a universal fuel that can replace fossil fuels. This paper analyses the feasibility of direct hydrogen utilisation in all energy sectors in a 100% renewable energy system for Europe in 2050 using hour-by-hour energy system analysis. Our results show that using hydrogen for heating purposes has high costs and low energy efficiency. Hydrogen for electricity production is beneficial only in limited quantities to restrict biomass consumption, but increases the system costs due to losses. The transport sector results show that hydrogen is an expensive alternative to liquid e-fuels and electrified transport due to high infrastructure costs and respectively low energy efficiency. The industry sector may benefit from hydrogen to reduce biomass at a lower cost than in the other energy sectors, but electrification and e-methane may be more feasible. Seen from a systems perspective, hydrogen will play a key role in future renewable energy systems, but primarily as e-fuel feedstock rather than direct end-fuel in the hard-to-abate sectors.
AB - Hydrogen is often suggested as a universal fuel that can replace fossil fuels. This paper analyses the feasibility of direct hydrogen utilisation in all energy sectors in a 100% renewable energy system for Europe in 2050 using hour-by-hour energy system analysis. Our results show that using hydrogen for heating purposes has high costs and low energy efficiency. Hydrogen for electricity production is beneficial only in limited quantities to restrict biomass consumption, but increases the system costs due to losses. The transport sector results show that hydrogen is an expensive alternative to liquid e-fuels and electrified transport due to high infrastructure costs and respectively low energy efficiency. The industry sector may benefit from hydrogen to reduce biomass at a lower cost than in the other energy sectors, but electrification and e-methane may be more feasible. Seen from a systems perspective, hydrogen will play a key role in future renewable energy systems, but primarily as e-fuel feedstock rather than direct end-fuel in the hard-to-abate sectors.
KW - Biomass
KW - Energy System Analysis
KW - direct hydrogen
KW - e-fuels
KW - hydrogen infrastructure
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141745079&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.170
DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.170
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0360-3199
VL - 48
SP - 2877
EP - 2891
JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
IS - 8
ER -