A study conducted by Sintef on behalf of the EU highlights that all types of hydrogen technology will be crucial in the future. The demand for hydrogen will increase tenfold by 2050. In order to meet this demand and for the world to achieve the climate goals, both green and blue hydrogen are needed, the report states.

In addition to all types of hydrogen technology, the study points to the importance of carbon capture and storage, if Europe is to achieve its defined climate goals. The EU has a goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Researcher at Sintef Energi and co-author of the study, Gunhild Reigstad, believes that Norway is in a good position to create a hydrogen export industry.

“The results of the study show that in this green transition, hydrogen from natural gas with CO2 capture, and large-scale storage of Europe's CO2 emissions, will be economical and sustainable. Norway is in a good position to create a new hydrogen export industry, with its natural gas resources and its investment in CO2 storage”, Reigstad tells Sintef.no.

The study estimates that the demand for hydrogen can grow to over 100 million tons in 2050. This corresponds to 3,300 terawatt hours - over 21 times as much as Norway's total production of electric power today. The report estimates that the demand for hydrogen will increase tenfold over the next 30 years.

The study also states that hydrogen will be crucial in bringing the EU into a zero-emission economy, and especially in sectors where electrification and efficiency are challenging. It also points out that renewable hydrogen and low-carbon hydrogen are both equally necessary to achieve net zero emissions, where natural gas and CCS (CO2 capture and storage) will continue to be crucial, even with a focus on renewable energy.

The beginning of a new Norwegian export adventure
ZEG's CEO Arild Selvig believes that the study shows how why the demand for ZEG's ICCTM technology and solutions can be significant in the years to come, from both Europe and the rest of the world. Not only can ZEG be a new, Norwegian export adventure, but it can also play a role in Norway’s economical and climate friendly transition.

“We believe that the production of hydrogen from natural gas with CO2 capture can quickly and most efficiently increase the hydrogen production volumes needed. Hydrogen and carbon capture and storage are solutions the world needs now, and that can help Norway both achieve its climate goals and further develop the Norwegian industrial adventure”, says Selvig.

Norway's first industrial hydrogen plant with integrated carbon capture
In April, ZEG entered into a purchase agreement with H2 Production, a company wholly owned by CCB Energy Holding, for Norway's first industrial hydrogen plant with integrated CO2 capture. The plant will be installed in CCB Energy Park, Kollsnes, outside Bergen, and make ZEG’s customer H2 Production the first player to offer climate-friendly gas-based hydrogen to the market.

“Cost competitive climate-friendly hydrogen production from natural gas will be required to replace use of fossil fuels and we have the ambition to be a key player within this segment, Selvig concludes.

The study was conducted by partners SINTEF and IFP Énergies Nouvelles (research) and Deloitte (project management) on behalf of Hydrogen4EU's funding partners. The entire study can be read at www.hydrogen4eu.com