EHA Strategy Papers

We are happy to present the third publication of the EHA/DWV series of strategy papers on the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier in a changing energy and climate landscape. The first paper dealt with the status of supply of different primary energy sources for hydrogen production, clearly indicating that renewable energy sources will be the most secure and sustainable source for future hydrogen production. The second paper demonstrated the role of hydrogen and fuel cells to facilitate large scale renewable energy deployment. This third paper explains the role of hydrogen in developing an intelligent and efficient infrastructure for electric mobility as we will need to gradually replace depleting fossil fuels with more renewable sources.

As  the  EU  Strategic  Energy  Technology  Plan  is pointing  out  in  its  Technology  Map “The  possible competition  for primary energy sources  for hydrogen production  and  other  sectors  of  activities  indicates a  need  for  synergies  and  coordination  between policies and industrial sector strategies”. From today’s observations,  there  also  will  be  a  mix  of  different solutions suited to  individual mobility needs. This will include shifts in the modal split. The  European  Hydrogen  Association,  EHA,  in collaboration  with  the German  Hydrogen  and  Fuel Cell  Association,  DWV,  present  this  brochure  as a  contribution  to  this  discussion  describing  how hydrogen  could  accelerate  the  use  of  sustainable primary energy sources in our future energy system in Europe by  integrating hydrogen as a storage medium and as a fuel in Europe’s transport systems. Therefore, renewable  energies  and  hydrogen  form  a  perfect alliance from an energy system’s point of view.

In recent years, the question has been asked repeatedly “Where will the hydrogen come from?” This question is important, but can only be answered if one considers a more fundamental question “where will our energy come from in the coming decades?” Today it mainly comes from finite fossil and nuclear energy carriers; in the long term, it will come from renewable energies. The basic question of availability of raw energy materials is to be covered in this brochure and an answer proposed.