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The Future Is Colorful—An Analysis of the CO 2 Bow Wave and Why Green Hydrogen Cannot Do It Alone

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  • Andreas von Döllen

    (Wintershall Dea AG, 34119 Kassel, Germany)

  • YoungSeok Hwang

    (Department of Climate Change, Kyungpook National University, 80, University Road, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea)

  • Stephan Schlüter

    (Department of Mathematics, Natural and Economic Science, University of Applied Sciences Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany)

Abstract

In both the private and public sectors, green hydrogen is treated as a promising alternative to fossil energy commodities. However, building up production capacities involves significant carbon production, especially when considering secondary infrastructure, e.g., renewable power sources. The amount of required capacity as well as the carbon production involved is calculated in this article. Using Germany as an example we show that the switch to purely green hydrogen involves significant bow waves in terms of carbon production as well as financial and resource demand. An economic model for an optimal decision is derived and—based on empirical estimates—calibrated. It shows that, even if green hydrogen is a competitive technology in the future, using alternatives like turquoise hydrogen or carbon capture and storage is necessary to significantly reduce or even avoid the mentioned bow waves.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas von Döllen & YoungSeok Hwang & Stephan Schlüter, 2021. "The Future Is Colorful—An Analysis of the CO 2 Bow Wave and Why Green Hydrogen Cannot Do It Alone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5720-:d:633180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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