Europe is becoming the largest producer of clean hydrogen, with a share of 30% of the world’s production capacity, thanks to its vast and cheap renewable resources, in the race for decarbonization, which aims to transform by 2030. sectors with a large carbon footprint like Industryheavy and industrial, aviation and automobile and sea transportindicates Deloitte study “Hydrogen. Doing it”until middle east and Australia they, in turn, have important production capacities, the share of which is estimated at about 20% each. However, to realize the “zero emissions by 2050” scenario, the volume of “clean” hydrogen produced worldwide must tripledresearch also shows.

As one of the few viable options for reducing carbon emissions, in addition to electrification and against the backdrop of limited access to traditional fuels, hydrogen is benefiting growing demand on the market, according to EU estimates, by 2030. every billion euros invested in projects based on hydrogen will produce 10,000 new jobs direct and indirect. Among those 600 hydrogen projects announced or operational worldwide in 2022, the largest 25 unit approx 70% of the current total capacityindicating a already a diverse marketwith many local small projects that can meet specific requests and a few large projects with regional importance, concentrated in Europe, the Middle East, the USA and Australia.

Hydrogen is optimal in industrial processes occurring at high temperaturesbrings a higher energy density than batteries, so it provides more energy for machines and heavy equipment, and has the ability to store energy derived from periodically renewable sources such as the sun and wind, the study shows. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and the United States are considering the possibility of using hydrogen for electricity production or production synthetic fuel.

Of all hydrogen options – green,obtained from water, by electrolysis, without carbon emissions; gray, fossil-based, with carbon emissions; bluealso fossil, but without emissions; pinknuclear, still at the research stage -, there is green hydrogen“the purest”, and the potential and interest in its application varies from one industry to another, the study shows. example, Chemical Industry and petrochemicals already uses gray hydrogen, so it will be needed minimal investment convert part of the infrastructure and get clean and cheaper some products. Heavy industry, aviation and heavy road transport special rules encourage the use of green hydrogen with 2030 as the horizon, while for other categories Transport decarbonisation plans remain uncertain and are expected to be implemented after 2030. Of cars and buildings (heating), they benefit from an electric alternative, so they are less inclined to switch to hydrogen.

“The research suggests five courses of action for a functional transition to hydrogen energy. First of all, the creation of natural demand in the market through a coalition of economic actors convinced of the advantages of hydrogen technologies. Second, there is a need for regulations that apply to this industry, such as setting a pollution index for the various hydrogen-based technologies and therefore encouraging green hydrogen among the existing options. The next steps concern the combination of production capacity with storage and transportation by transforming the existing infrastructure. Last but not least, collaboration is needed: innovation does not come about under the pressure of regulations, but through shared desire and systemic approaches. The solution for the integration of these measures is the so-called “hydrogen hubs”, that is, geographical areas that have available production resources, investment potential and regulations that stimulate the niche market, and the study shows that Europe is best placed to implement such projects by 2030. With its significant renewable energy potential, Romania can also play an important role, and I hope that the future national hydrogen strategy will reflect a level of ambition that matches this potential,” he stated. Sorin Elizei, Deloitte Romania Consulting Director and Practice Leader stability and energy.

Companies’ spending on infrastructure can fall by up to 95% in the “hydrogen hub” scenario compared to the individual investment scenario, Deloitte research indicates. in addition cost optimizationthis solution also brings benefits such as systematizing the green transition, diversification of the labor market and development new business modelse.g synergistic chains production of cement, methanol and steel.

Deloitte study “Hydrogen. Doing it” assesses best practices and best options for reaching the goal of “zero emissions by 2050” and the extent to which hydrogen can meet current challenges in the energy market.

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