What is Green Hydrogen?

Green Hydrogen is generated by electrolysis using renewable electricity (from sources such as wind and solar) and water: It produces zero CO2 emissions.

By 2050, the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) estimates that total demand for hydrogen worldwide will grow to 528 Mt from 87Mt in 2020.

Worldwide Hydrogen Production, At a Glance

in 2019

< 0.1%

of worldwide Hydrogen Production came from

Green Hydrogen

in 2019

99.9%

of worldwide Hydrogen Production came from

Black or Brown hydrogen
Generated from different types of coal.

Grey Hydrogen
Created when natural gas is split into hydrogen and CO2 usually through Steam methane reformation - SMR.

BlueHydrogen
Also derived from natural gas but in this case the CO2 emissions are captured to be either used in industrial processes or stored underground using carbon capture utilisation and storage - CCUS.

Current UK & EU Hydrogen Strategy

As part of their hydrogen strategy, the UK aims to reach a low-carbon hydrogen
and the EU strategy is to prioritise green hydrogen

by 2030

5GW

Production capacity

UK aims to reach a low-carbon hydrogen (green & blue) production capacity.

by 2030, at least

40GW

Renewable electrolysers

Goal of installation (The EU strategy is to prioritise green hydrogen).

by 2030

40GW

Projects outside EU

Projects planned in neighbouring countries outside the EU.

Beyond Europe, except in Australia, where there are some plans to ramp up production and ship green hydrogen to Asia, there appears to be little or no significant green hydrogen project pipeline.

These European and Australian plans are all part of commercial and Government projects under which the hydrogen generated will need to be stored and distributed to the end user creating an attendant carbon footprint.