The potential role of a hydrogen network in Europe

•Examination of the cost benefit a European hydrogen network in net-zero emission scenarios•H2 reduces system costs by up to 3.4%, highest without power grid expansion•Between 64% and 69% uses retrofitted gas pipelines•Power expansion saves more than network, but strongest savings with both Many different combinations infrastructure could make Europe carbon neutral mid-century, not all solutions meet same level acceptance. For example, reinforcements have faced many delays, despite their value for integrating renewables. A reusing pipelines substitute moving cheap remote renewables across continent where demand is. We study trade-offs between new transmission lines energy CO2 emissions. find that consistently large parts reuse pipelines. Energy transport as electrons molecules offers complementary strengths, achieving together. However, neither is essential long can be coordinated around resulting bottlenecks. This reveals affordable ways achieve emissions Europe, giving policymakers options choose from. Europe’s electricity suffers its significance renewable electricity. existing only help supply low-emission fuels also balance variations wind solar energies thus avoid expansion. Our investigation varies allowed grids scenarios sector-coupled system, capturing bottlenecks, variability, pipeline retrofitting geological storage potentials. connecting regions low-cost abundant potentials centers, electrofuel production, cavern sites 26 bn€/a (3.4%). Although expanding networks together largest reductions, 9.9%, higher accepted flexibility allow managing There are would reach greenhouse mid-century.1Pickering B. Lombardi F. Pfenninger S. Diversity eliminate fossil neutrality entire system.Joule. 2022; 6: 1253-1276https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2022.05.009Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar technologies acceptance among public. 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Conversion losses processes shown pronounced electrolysis. Overall, differences small. With options, shifts photovoltaics (PVs), total increases slightly. rise compensates increased handling added these 1 presents consumption supply. side dominated production electrolytic hydrogen, 2,376 2,665 TWh/a depending scenario. observe blue steam reforming CC (78 TWh/a). glance that, part, intermediate product derivative products. hydrogen; instance, steel hydrogen-based iron, transport. Most Fischer-Tropsch fuels, methane, ammonia, methanol, which fertilizers, chemicals. consumes 1,903 192 usable form waste district heating networks. Around 139 lost during 275 195 excluding feedstocks (e.g., chemicals). If restricted, transported, produced re-electrified phases (287 TWh hydrogen). mostly built inland Central (see later common Europe), connection requires dispatchable periods feed-in cold weather. terms consumed, reconversion assumes secondary role. expansion, applications power-to-heat units. prefers biogas (336 TWh/a) (366 TWh/a), sequestering biogenic dioxide, Only nor were methanation (H2-to-CH4, 152 case, conversion losses, medium utilize bypass Apart imperfect rate 90%, supplementing CO2, combination carbon-capturing creates cycle, provided returned appropriate infrastructure. atmospheric shows shipping, aviation, incineration eventual decay plastics constitute major uncaptured dioxid