Spatial Disaggregation of Future Industrial Hydrogen Demand

Abstract

There is a controversial debate about the range of possible applications of hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Nonetheless, hydrogen is considered a promising component of sustainable low-carbon energy systems. Implementing hydrogen into hard-to-abate sectors enables countries with many energy-intensive industry sites to achieve their CO2 mitigation goals. However, the estimates for future demand differ substantially. Moreover, there is a broad consensus that the industry can be a driver for developing a hydrogen economy as hydrogen is already used as feedstock in this sector today. In light of climate change, increasing energy demand, and a rising global population, this thesis is about the growth of future hydrogen demand and its spatial distribution in Europe, focusing on industry. Given the upheld attraction and controversial discussion of hydrogen opportunities, several studies for Germany were assessed, and a tool was developed that disaggregates the future hydrogen demand for the refinery, steel, and ammonia sectors in Europe. Germany is the biggest hydrogen consumer in the industry, with a demand of 17.3 %.