Electricity accounts for just 20% of global energy consumption, yet dominates decarbonization debates. The remaining 80%—industrial heat, heavy transport, and seasonal energy storage—demands solutions beyond electrification. Dutch energy strategist Ad van Wijk, a pivotal figure in hydrogen innovation, argues that hydrogen, often mischaracterized as a mere byproduct of renewables, is emerging as a critical vector for bridging this gap. We spoke to Ad at a Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Training in Zagreb.
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Myth-Busting: Hydrogen as a Standalone Energy Carrier
A persistent misconception, van Wijk notes, is framing hydrogen solely as an electricity derivative. While electrolysis (using renewable power to split water) is a pathway, hydrogen can also be produced from methane pyrolysis—splitting natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon—or extracted directly from geological reserves. “Hydrogen and electricity are both energy carriers, not competitors,” he emphasizes. This distinction is critical: hydrogen’s ability to store and transport energy at scale, at 10% the cost of electricity transmission and 1% the storage cost, positions it uniquely for global energy trade.
Seasonal Storage and Global Trade Imperatives
Europe’s solar generation drops to one-eighth of summer output in winter, while wind fluctuates by 50% seasonally. Batteries address daily or weekly gaps but falter over months. “Seasonal storage requires molecules, not electrons,” van Wijk asserts. Hydrogen’s density and compatibility with existing gas infrastructure enable cost-effective intercontinental transport. Regions with abundant renewables, like North Africa or Australia, could export liquid hydrogen or ammonia to energy-poor industrial hubs like Japan or Germany, mirroring today’s fossil fuel trade.
Blue vs. Green: Pragmatism Over Purity
While green hydrogen (from renewables) dominates policy rhetoric, van Wijk urges pragmatism. Methane pyrolysis, though still reliant on natural gas, avoids CO₂ emissions by sequestering solid carbon, a potential soil enhancer, and leverages existing gas infrastructure. “Even 50% clean hydrogen today accelerates industry transition,” he argues, citing U.S. projects scaling pyrolysis with DOE backing. Blue hydrogen (with carbon capture) faces inefficiencies: capturing CO₂ post-combustion in power plants is costlier than capturing concentrated streams during methane splitting.
Liquid Hydrogen’s Surprising Resurgence
Once deemed impractical, liquid hydrogen is gaining traction. Innovations have slashed liquefaction energy needs to ~8 kWh/kg, down from 12–15 kWh/kg, with costs plummeting as capacity scales from 10 to 150 tons/day. China’s rapid electrolyzer manufacturing growth—3.5–5 GW annually—contrasts with Europe’s pilot-focused approach, highlighting a cost divide. Van Wijk notes, “Liquid hydrogen’s ease of transport and refueling makes it viable for heavy transport, where battery density falters.”
Bridging the Demand-Supply Chasm
Hydrogen’s “chicken-and-egg” problem—simultaneously scaling production, infrastructure, and demand—requires policy muscle. The EU’s quotas for green hydrogen in steel and chemicals, paired with carbon border taxes, exemplify demand-side levers. Van Wijk stresses infrastructure parallelism: “Without pipelines and storage, imports stall.” Emerging corridors, like Tunisia-to-Germany or Ukraine-to-Slovakia hydrogen routes, underscore the need for preemptive investment.
Strategic Priorities for New Markets
For nations beginning their hydrogen journey, van Wijk prescribes three steps:
- Build Expertise: Rapid upskilling to navigate technical and regulatory complexities.
- Infrastructure First: Adapt gas pipelines for hydrogen and mandate refueling networks.
- Leapfrog Pilots: Embrace proven tech at scale, mirroring China’s electrolyzer factories rather than Europe’s incrementalism.
The Balkan Crossroads
In regions like the Balkans, limited renewables and grid constraints challenge direct electrification. Hydrogen imports via Mediterranean or Eastern European corridors could offset deficits, but require interconnectivity investments. “Without pipelines, industries relocate,” van Wijk warns, noting Croatia and Slovenia’s lag behind EU hydrogen backbone projects.
Hydrogen’s ascent hinges on dismantling myths, pragmatic tech integration, and policy daring. As van Wijk concludes, “The goal isn’t ideological purity—it’s molecules that store cheap renewables and keep industries alive.” In a world racing to decarbonize, hydrogen’s versatility may well prove indispensable.
