Low Carbon Hydrogen Well to Tank Pathways

• As hydrogen is expected to play a key role in UK’s legal target to reach net-zero by 2050, the carbon footprint of the hydrogen would be critical in deciding the production technologies and infrastructure that would require prioritisation.

• This study was undertaken by Element Energy for Zemo and established the well-to-tank emissions of different hydrogen production, distribution, and dispensing pathways used in mobility.

• The study benefited from significant industry engagement via a dedicated steering group and interviews with the supply chain.

• The study explored the emissions associated with electrolytic, fossil, and waste-based production of hydrogen, considering different technologies present today (small scale grid-powered electrolysis) and expected to be commercialised in the medium term, such as offshore electrolysis, gas reformation with CCS, and waste gasification with CCS.

• Both the energy use emissions and fugitive emissions were considered in this analysis. There is a wide variation in the pathway emissions depending on the carbon footprint of the feedstocks (electricity and natural gas). In general, emissions decline in time as the feedstock supply is decarbonised and efficiencies improve. F

or example: – Renewable-based electrolysis is expected to represent one of the lowest emissions pathways in the medium term. – Natural gas reformation using emerging ATR technology with CCS could greatly reduce the emissions of hydrogen, and could generate carbon-negative hydrogen when biomethane is used. – Gasification of waste with CCS could achieve the highest level of negative emissions