Rystad Energy published a white paper examining 5 hydrogen economy trends to watch in 2022. As the cost of blue and gray hydrogen surge in line with rising fossil fuel prices, the feasibility of green hydrogen as an affordable and secure source of renewable energy in Europe is growing, Rystad Energy research predicts.

The research highlights the following trends shaping the hydrogen economy development path in the coming year.

1: Electrolyzer installations grow as projects get bigger

This year could see approximately 400 megawatts (MW) of electrolyzer projects installed around the world. The average project size will be coming in at around 16 MW.

2: Concrete subsidy mechanisms for hydrogen

Countries started announcing specific mechanisms for hydrogen subsidies, particularly renewable hydrogen. Countries can take some of the lessons the renewable energy sector had to learn when it came to applying multiple subsidies and fiscal incentives.

3: New announcements still dominated by production via electrolysis

New players entering the industry, with suppliers such as SMA Solar Technology, Sungrow and Longi Solar launching electrolyzer platforms, while developers like NextEra are partnering with other companies to
participate in infrastructure and supply projects. Overall, electrolysis will continue to dominate over fossil-derived hydrogen production.

4: Developing regions emerge as supply centers

Australia and Western Europe led globally with their respective hydrogen supply project pipelines in 2021 in terms of tonnes of production capacity. However, the following five biggest regions are developing ones including West Africa, South America, the Middle East, Oceania (not including Australia and New Zealand) and Central Asia.

5: Ammonia is increasingly used as a carrier for hydrogen – drives demand

Among the carriers for hydrogen, ammonia is quickly standing out as one of the most popular choices. Ammonia benefits from having the existing infrastructure in place for global trade, as well as a healthy
demand of 150 million tonnes per annum from the fertilizer industry.

Rystad Energy is an independent energy research and business intelligence company providing data, tools, analytics, and consultancy services to clients exposed to the energy industry across the globe. Knowledge partner of the Go Net Zero Energy and Go Hydrogen business summits (20-22 Sep 2022, Brussels).