How to understand the carbon footprint of clean hydrogen

Mar 6, 2023

Reducing the carbon footprint of clean hydrogen using renewable energy generation.

Bart Kolodziejczyk

Associate Director, Boston Consulting Group

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Figure 1. Greenhouse gas emissions of various energy generation technologies presented as an average over their lifetime. Values are presented in grams of CO2 per kWh of energy generated. Presented data comes from NREL’s report: Nicholson, Scott and Heath, Garvin (2021) Life Cycle Emissions Factors for Electricity Generation Technologies. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Figure 2. Indicative carbon footprint range for hydrogen production from different energy sources. Presented numbers are based on NREL values presented in Figure 1, and assumption of electrolyzer power consumption of 48-58 kWh per kg of H2. The above values do not include emissions from hydrogen transportation, compression, or further conversion into hydrogen derivatives. Carbon footprint values for steam methane reforming and coal gasification are taken from Rocky Mountain Institute: Koch Blank, Thomas and Molly, Patrick (2020) Hydrogen’s Decarbonization Impact for Industry – Near-term Challenges and Long-term Potential. Rocky Mountain Institute.

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Figure 3. Comparison of carbon intensity thresholds for green hydrogen certification schemes. For clarity of presentation listed energy sources are limited only to those that fall within the certification ranges.

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