The Hydrogen Council estimates that USD280 billion in global investment is needed from now until 2030 to fully realize hydrogen’s role in the energy transition. One reason for this forecast is that the hydrogen value chain is now supported by mature technologies being demonstrated in pilot projects globally. On this point, the Australian government’s independent research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO),3 has noted: ‘The narrative has shifted from one of technology development to market activation. This involves the transition from emerging technologies to bankable assets, similar to what has recently been observed in the solar photovoltaic industry.’

In addition, DNV GL’s new research paper, ‘Hydrogen in the electricity value chain’, concludes that production of hydrogen from electrolysis will become competitive with production from natural gas.

Priorities and strategies vary by country according to their natural resources for generating power, infrastructure for storing and transporting energy, and economic and social development priorities. Here are the emerging strategies for a selection of nations:

The UK: R&D progresses on hydrogen to decarbonize heat in buildings

The primary focus is decarbonizing heating in buildings. The UK government’s 2017 Clean Growth Plan views conversion of natural gas networks to 100% hydrogen as one of the large-scale credible options for decarbonization.4

Several gas distribution networks in the UK are working on projects to inject 100% hydrogen, or hydrogen and natural gas blends, into the network by 2030. Gas distributor Cadent is leading a field trial that plans to inject such a blend into a small-scale network at Keele University starting in 2019.5 “If successful, these trials will be extended to the open network”, predicts Sarah Kimpton, innovation lead, DNV GL - Oil & Gas. “Other UK projects are investigating 100% hydrogen networks, either in new polyethylene pipeline networks, led by gas distributor SGN, or by repurposing the existing natural gas network.”

The government-funded H21 North of England initiative – led by gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN) for all UK distribution system operators – is researching and testing the distribution of hydrogen in the country’s existing natural gas networks. It currently proposes that conversion should begin in 2028, with expansion across 3.7 million properties over the following seven years.6 A six-phase additional rollout could see 12 million more homes converted to hydrogen by 2050.