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Dubious Promises of Hydrogen Energy in a Climate-Constrained World

Author

Listed:
  • Aviel Verbruggen

    (Department Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, BE2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Gulzhan Yermekova

    (Climate Change Coordination Centre, Abay av.20, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan)

  • Kanat Baigarin

    (Research and Innovation System, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay batyr av.53, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan)

Abstract

Vocal proponents claim that hydrogen will play a crucial role in the low-carbon energy future, a claim critics dismiss. Our approach to clarifying these disputes involves reviewing literature and policy documents, revisiting energy and hydrogen physics, and framing the hydrogen question within the context of failing climate and energy politics and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Clarity about hydrogen’s role begins with knowing its peculiar properties, followed by numerical data on energy conversions and related losses, which reveal intractable hurdles in deploying a hydrogen energy economy. Thus, hydrogen derivatives like ammonia and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels emerge, but they sink the green hydrogen ambitions advertised to the public. Their dubious environmental and financial performance is hidden by substantial subsidies. The announced EU megaproject for producing 11 Mtons of green ammonia at the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan contrasts with the 20 ktons realized project in Norway. While the Kazakhstani project promises grand results, its practical and financial feasibility is questionable. The Norwegian project shows the reality of green ammonia production. The article concludes that hydrogen’s economic and environmental feasibility remains challenging.

Suggested Citation

  • Aviel Verbruggen & Gulzhan Yermekova & Kanat Baigarin, 2025. "Dubious Promises of Hydrogen Energy in a Climate-Constrained World," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:491-:d:1573517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johan Rockström & Will Steffen & Kevin Noone & Åsa Persson & F. Stuart Chapin & Eric F. Lambin & Timothy M. Lenton & Marten Scheffer & Carl Folke & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber & Björn Nykvist & Cynthia , 2009. "A safe operating space for humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7263), pages 472-475, September.
    2. José Juan Alvarado-Flores & Jorge Víctor Alcaraz-Vera & María Liliana Ávalos-Rodríguez & Erandini Guzmán-Mejía & José Guadalupe Rutiaga-Quiñones & Luís Fernando Pintor-Ibarra & Santiago José Guevara-M, 2024. "Thermochemical Production of Hydrogen from Biomass: Pyrolysis and Gasification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-21, January.
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