Through research and convenings, the GEC’s hydrogen program advances public understanding of hydrogen technology; provides key insights into the geopolitical, economic, environmental, and regulatory dynamics shaping hydrogen’s role in the energy transition; and advocates for policies that accelerate market-driven decarbonization.  

With hydrogen increasingly moving to the center of decarbonization conversations, there is a real need to understand the technology’s potential – and limitations. Consequently, the GEC seeks to identify use cases where hydrogen is an ideal decarbonization candidate, but also ensure that scarce financial and clean energy resources are not deployed in applications where hydrogen deployment is not optimal from a carbon abatement or economic perspective. The program is agnostic about the “color” of hydrogen, but not indifferent to its carbon content, and seeks to apply nuance to discussions surrounding H2, all with the aim of advancing the public interest in a promising yet nascent technology.

PAST EVENTS

hydrogen policy sprint

In order for hydrogen to become a viable decarbonization solution in the United States, a narrative shift and a framework of policies that can enable its deployment are needed. The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s hydrogen policy sprint examines the opportunities and challenges for developing a clean hydrogen economy in the United States and offer policy recommendations for efficiently and effectively scaling clean hydrogen production and consumption.

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Experts

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.

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Content

EnergySource

May 5, 2023

Green hydrogen: Loaded up and (long-haul) trucking

By Joseph Webster, William Tobin

California and Texas are two potential markets to advance hydrogen-fueled trucking. Both states have excellent potential and can decarbonize heavy-duty transportation.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Mar 23, 2023

Can hydrogen fuel reduce aviation’s climate impact?

By Joseph Webster

Hydrogen looks to be a promising avenue for aviation decarbonization. But several challenges remain before the industry can make the switch. If these challenges are managed properly, hydrogen aviation could move from a distant prospect to an emerging reality in the next five to ten years.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

Mar 14, 2023

Harmonizing hydrogen ambitions and realities

By William Tobin, Joseph Webster

Hydrogen's chemical properties determine its most optimal uses. Policymakers should orient deployment toward areas in which hydrogen makes the most sense as a tool for decarbonization and away from areas in which it does not.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Mar 9, 2023

Sub-Saharan green hydrogen as a catalyst for development

By Daniel Helmeci

Green hydrogen has the potential to turn sub-Saharan Africa's abundant renewable resources into fuel for a sustainable economy. If supporting infrastructure can be built to harness this potential, the entire region could see the benefits.

Africa Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Feb 14, 2023

Hydrogen in the MENA region: Priorities and steps forward

By Giampaolo Cantini

COP27 marked a major escalation in the MENA region's hydrogen ambitions. With several international partnerships now underway, sustained support and forward-thinking policymaking will be key.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Feb 2, 2023

Realizing North Africa’s green hydrogen potential

By Daniel Helmeci

North Africa could be a global hub for green hydrogen production. Europe would be able to advance its own net-zero future while supporting North African development by promoting investment and collaboration in the sector.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Agenda

Jan 13, 2023

The 2023 Global Energy Agenda

By Landon Derentz, Christine Suh, Ameya Hadap, Paul Kielstra (Editors)

The third edition of the Global Energy Agenda provides context for the year that has passed. It features a survey of thought leaders in the energy sector, as well as a series of essays by the leading figures in energy, to set the energy agenda for 2023.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Nov 9, 2022

Recommendations for a US Northeast hydrogen hub

By Joseph Webster

The US northeast, in particular, boasts several advantages in the Department of Energy’s search for suitable “hydrogen hubs,” including its offshore wind capacity; its emerging hydrogen-supportive supply chain; its diversity of use cases; and its world-class universities. But unanswered questions remain.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

Oct 31, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on the US oil and gas industry

By Joseph Webster

The IRA will ratchet up competition in energy production with which the US oil and gas industry will have to contend, across any number of functional niches. But several of its provisions also represent opportunities for the industry to smoothly transition to a fresh role in the US energy sector.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Sep 20, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate clean hydrogen adoption

By Joseph Webster

The IRA makes the production of clean hydrogen far more attractive to investors and generators. Carbon-free hydrogen could fall dramatically in cost by the end of the decade, greatly increasing its competitiveness against dirtier hydrogen sources.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance