Transition toward emission-free energy systems by 2050: Potential role of hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen has a potential role in helping the world for obtaining net-zero emission/emission-free energy systems by 2050 and restrict global warming by 1.5 °C because it can subside 80 gigatons (GT) of CO2 by 2050. This causes the utilization of 660 million metric tons (MT) of low-carbon hydrogen and renewables up to 2050, almost equal to 22% of global energy demand. In the coming decades, the need for very high clean hydrogen production to fulfill the decarbonization role for net zero emission. About 4.5 to 6.5 terawatts (TW) of renewable power, about 3–4 TW of electrolysis, 40–280 MT of minimal carbon hydrogen production reforming capacity, and 1–1.25 GT of CO2 storage infrastructure in a year are required for supplying 660 MT of end uses. In such circumstances, 15–25% of total renewable energy is required for hydrogen till 2050 – a 10X enhancement over the present installed capacity (2.8 TW).