Striking the right balance: understanding the strategic applications of hydrogen in transitioning to a net zero emissions economy

Abstract The hydrogen economy has been a major vision for many futurists, over half century, as way to transition world not dependent on fossil fuels (Bockris, Science 176:1323, 1972). As with views, the complete perspective from which all potential change can be viewed. It therefore passionate if somewhat fundamentalist following. This paper outlines how electrification now superseded much of originally envisaged and thus it deconstructs what is left this highlight hydrogen’s strategic, niche, yet important roles, that remain supporting global net zero emissions economy. In our view, critical policy-makers, industry researchers take strategic view striking right balance adoption hydrogen. Here we propose framework development globally, support directed towards enabling decarbonisation harder-to-electrify sectors using renewable hydrogen, including, but limited to: steel, cement, fertilisers, chemical feedstocks, shipping, aviation.