Hydrogen could help decarbonizing British economy but challenges remain: Report

LONDON

Hydrogen has its place in the clean transition of the UK economy and helps reach the Net Zero emissions target by 2050, but there are still questions, according to a new report on Monday.

"To meet the 2050 Net Zero target, decisions need to be urgently taken by the Government, which will help define hydrogen's place in the UK's overall decarbonization strategy," said the report, released by UK Parliament's Science and Technology Committee.

Mentioning challenges, the report, titled "The Role of Hydrogen in Achieving Net Zero," noted that the production of hydrogen requires significant advances in the economic deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage.

"The rapid expansion of renewable energy provides important possibilities for the mass production of green hydrogen in the future. But currently, we heard there is an unmet need for renewable-sourced electricity to contribute directly to our power supplies as demand for electricity rises in both domestic and industrial settings."

It stressed there is a need for "clear commitments" by the government to the development and deployment of carbon capture, usage and storage and renewable energy in case to maximize the future possibilities of using hydrogen to decarbonize the economy.

"For example, were hydrogen to replace petrol and diesel in passenger cars and heavy goods vehicles, an extensive and new network of hydrogen refueling stations would be needed across the UK."

The study noted that the UK also needs multiple changes to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, and although hydrogen will have its place in this goal, questions still remain in this regard.

"Essential questions remain to be answered as to how in future large quantities of hydrogen can be produced, distributed, and used in ways that are compatible with Net Zero and cost efficiency," it added.

Citing comments by Jenifer Baxter, chief engineer at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the report also indicated that only 16% of the UK's energy comes from electricity, and about half of that is renewable energy, "over 90% of the energy system needs to be changed" in order to decarbonization.