A new study by researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI has identified Canada as a top location for cost-effective hydrogen production. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that Canada is ideal for building a hydrogen-based economy.
Hydrogen Demand Projected to Increase
The researchers collected geographical and economic data to forecast the development of a hydrogen economy under four different scenarios. Depending on the scenario, they predict that the global demand for hydrogen will lie between 111 and 614 megatons per year by 2050, up from the current production of approximately 90 megatons per year.
PEM Electrolysis: The Key to Green Hydrogen
The study assumes PEM electrolysers will replace steam methane reforming, the dominant fossil fuel-based hydrogen production method. PEM electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and a polymer electrolyte membrane. It produces 90% less greenhouse gases than steam methane reforming when powered by green electricity.
Canada’s Ideal Conditions for Hydrogen Production
The researchers primarily applied economic criteria to determine the best regions for future hydrogen production using PEM electrolysis. Canada emerged as one of the top locations due to its abundance of open spaces ideal for wind turbines, ample water resources, and stable political situation. Other promising regions include the central United States, parts of Australia, the Sahara, northern China, and northwestern Europe.
Challenges of a Hydrogen Economy
Despite the potential benefits, the study also highlights several challenges associated with a hydrogen economy:
- Residual Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A hydrogen economy would still produce residual emissions, estimated at one gigaton of CO2 equivalents per year.
- Environmental Side Effects: Hydrogen production requires large amounts of land and water, and materials used can have negative environmental impacts.
- Social Acceptance: The public may resist large hydrogen production plants in coastal or water-scarce regions.
The Way Forward
While the study identifies potential means of achieving an energy transition through hydrogen, the researchers emphasize that pursuing these strategies is ultimately a socio-political question. Further studies are planned to address the environmental and social factors not yet considered in the current analysis.
As countries like Switzerland aim to become climate-neutral by 2050, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the possibilities and challenges of building a hydrogen-based economy to replace fossil fuels.
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