Hydrogen: enabling the energy transition and the pathways to net-zero emissions | Ipieca

Low-emission pathways can be enabled by using low-carbon hydrogen to carry and store energy across major sectors (electricity, industry, transportation and buildings). Technologies to enable the safe and cost-effective use of hydrogen for transportation, heating and other applications have been developed and are being improved.

Sufficient storage capacity is available on a regional basis to enable the ramping up and large-scale deployment of cost-effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which is a prerequisite for the development of low-carbon hydrogen from natural gas.

Low-carbon hydrogen is complementary to, and will be an enabler of, the growth of renewable hydrogen in the coming years through repurposing and reusing the existing natural gas infrastructure and distribution network, and through providing sufficient initial volume growth to encourage the build-up of new infrastructure.

The oil and gas sector has the experience, skills and knowledge to develop and scale up production of hydrogen from natural gas as a low-carbon, low-cost source of energy. Partnerships and collaboration between private and public sector entities are key enablers in facilitating the energy transition, with a significant role for the oil and gas sector. As with all other sources of low-carbon and renewable energy, significant investments will be needed on a global scale to enable a hydrogen economy.

Development of a hydrogen economy as part of the energy transition brings social benefits through maintaining high quality industrial jobs, especially on the demand side.