Page 7 - MEOG Week 39 2021

MEOG COMMENTARY MEOG

towards net-zero economies,” the study stated. declined over the last decades, with no trend
“It is important to reiterate that no single reversal in sight, importing gas from countries
hydrogen production technology, including with good monitoring practices and low meth-
electrolysis with renewables, is completely net- ane emission rates should be prioritised from a
zero in terms of GHG emissions over its life cycle European perspective,” the study said.
and will therefore need additional GHG removal “From a US perspective, and for other coun-
from the atmosphere to comply with strict net- tries with primarily domestic supplies, best
zero targets.” practices regarding minimising methane emis-
It added that biomass-based hydrogen pro- sions from the entire natural gas sector must be
duction was the exception, as it can actually ensured.”
lead to net negative emissions under some The study continued saying that blue hydro-
circumstances, although there are limits to its gen had a role to play in decarbonising energy
availability. systems in the nearer term, given the current
scarcity and comparatively high cost of green
Policymakers hydrogen.
The study concluded that policymakers should “Blue hydrogen can play a role as a bridging
consider life-cycle emissions to judge how clean technology supporting the uptake of hydrogen
hydrogen is, whether that is the life-cycle emis- infrastructure and end-use transformation,”
sions from the electricity used to power electrol- the study explained. “Blue hydrogen projects
ysis, or the natural gas supply chain. can be developed under the recommendations
“Only in this way can the whole system impli- presented here without crowding out the global
cations of such measures be fully understood,” it ramp-up of green hydrogen supply.”
stated. “This means emission monitoring, veri- “As both blue and green hydrogen have
fication, and reporting is required for emissions innovation potential,” it continued, “policies
across the life cycle.” and regulations should support both options
The study called for improved public disclo- independently until they are fairly mature and
sure of these emissions, as well as emissions pric- can compete (e.g. based on carbon pricing
ing, public funding for GHG performance, and accounting for full life cycle GHG) – provided
regulation to incentivize the industry to produce the above conditions for blue hydrogen are met
as clean hydrogen as possible. and the necessary prioritisation of demand areas
“As European gas extraction has strongly is reflected.”™

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