A recent study published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy provides measured insight into how photovoltaic (PV) and wind electricity supply chains are reshaping the carbon profiles of green hydrogen in Italy and the UK.
Authors Mehrshad Kolahchian Tabrizi, Jacopo Famiglietti, Davide Bonalumi, and Stefano Campanari critically evaluate the extent to which these energy sources influence the carbon footprint of hydrogen, revealing significant potential for emission reductions through strategic supply chain management.
As the study highlights, the traditionally accepted notion that green hydrogen’s environmental impact is primarily determined by end-point energy sources such as solar or wind does not capture the full picture. Instead, a nuanced examination of the complete supply chain—for instance, the sourcing of materials for PV panels or the construction and transportation involved in wind turbine manufacturing—presents a more holistic view. The results indicate that PV-based hydrogen production has experienced a substantial 45–60% reduction in its carbon footprint, now sitting at 2.7 kg CO2 equivalent per kilogram for the UK and 1.8 kg CO2 equivalent for Italy. In the context of wind-based hydrogen, offshore production holds promise with less than 1 kg CO2 eq. per kilogram of hydrogen.
This transformation is more than hypothetical. These significant figures bring to the forefront the critical elements of the green hydrogen supply chain that can be optimized. For instance, the choice of materials and geographic considerations of manufacturing locations have been repositioned as key levers for sustainable improvements. One unexpected insight derived from this research is the importance of regional supply chain specifics and their corresponding carbon outputs, challenging the somewhat generic data provided by commercial datasets traditionally used in life cycle assessments (LCA).
The rigorous approach of the study also brings the regional variances into sharp relief. The carbon footprint of PV-based hydrogen is markedly distinct between the UK and Italy, showcasing the influence of localized manufacturing and energy deployment practices. For professionals in renewable energy sectors, this distinction underscores the importance of adapting strategies to regional nuances—a critical pathway to achieving Europe Union targets for greenhouse gas reductions by 2030.
Indeed, the potential for up to a 24% reduction in carbon emissions in offshore wind scenarios for the UK and Italy is testamental to the efficacy of tailored supply chain strategies. These scenarios effectively illustrate that region-specific supply chains can significantly curb emissions, aligning closely with progressive environmental policies. Such reductions in global warming potential (GWP)—the metric used to convey the greenhouse effect of different gases over a specified time horizon—carry substantial implications for policymakers and industry leaders aiming to navigate Europe’s energy transition.
Contrasting with often-promoted narratives that celebrate hydrogen’s sustainability without sufficient scrutiny into its production emissions, this study invites critical reflection and strategy reevaluation. The accurate depiction of supply chain dynamics becomes paramount, as unrealistic emission claims could create potential setbacks not only in policy alignment but also in public acceptance of hydrogen as a truly clean energy source. As green hydrogen scales up, industry stakeholders are highly encouraged to consider these findings in shaping future supply routes, innovation strategies, and policy frameworks.
The study’s implications suggest that far from being an ancillary consideration, the supply chain can represent a strategic opportunity to significantly bolster the green credentials of hydrogen in the decarbonization puzzle.
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