The role of hydrogen in a net zero energy system

Hydrogen could be used in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors.

What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a highly versatile energy vector, which means it can be produced, transported, and stored as a means of delivering and/or storing energy. It could be used in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors where other energy vectors, such as electricity, may not be suitable. Hydrogen can carry energy to many hard-to-decarbonise sectors with no greenhouse gas emissions at the point of use, giving hydrogen a valuable role in a net zero energy system.

Scaling up usage

As the successful scale up of low-carbon hydrogen production and end-uses poses many challenges and is dependent on decisions made in other parts of the energy system, a pragmatic and carefully managed delivery is vital to achieve emission reductions and reap the benefits that hydrogen can provide.

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre explores:

• hydrogen's value as an energy vector
• potential roles of hydrogen in a net zero energy system
• low-carbon hydrogen production methods
• policy recommendations for government to ensure the benefits of hydrogen for a net zero energy system are realised.

Read the report

How are grey, blue and green hydrogen produced?

Hydrogen is highly reactive and commonly found in chemical compounds like water and methane. Extracting hydrogen from these compounds requires significant energy, which makes efficient and low-carbon hydrogen production a major challenge.

Engineers' perspective on hydrogen