In a recently published report by the Society Gas of Marine Fuel (SGMF), the Association clarifies that only hydrogen produced from renewable energy can be said to be carbon dioxide free.
SGMF explains that the extent and speed of the introduction of hydrogen will, like LNG, be based on demand, availability and price. If politically driven incentives continue as expected, everyone will want ‘green’ hydrogen and there will be insufficient supply, at least initially, to meet demand.
First movers are likely to be national governments, for example Germany and the Netherlands, which can control both political and regulatory agendas and provide incentives for investment.
SGMF also highlights that there are a number of safety issues largely unknown to the public. For example, most of the time, hydrogen leaks and their effects cannot be seen. Zoning/ spatial planning may need to be extensively used to make sure communities are protected.