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.

Staff

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.

Content

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 3, 2021

Brief 2: Producing clean hydrogen at scale in the United States

By David Yellen, Randolph Bell

This second brief in the Atlantic Council’s hydrogen policy sprint explores pathways for and the challenges and opportunities facing scaled clean hydrogen production in the United States.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

In-Depth Research & Reports

Mar 2, 2021

Brief 1: Has hydrogen’s time come in the United States?

By David Yellen, Randolph Bell

This first brief in the Atlantic Council’s hydrogen policy sprint examines the current state of hydrogen development in the United States and begins to explore pathways for clean hydrogen production across the country.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Jul 24, 2020

The ACWA Power–Air Products joint venture for green hydrogen: A new Saudi energy policy?

By Jean-François Seznec and Samer Mosis

In early July 2020, the city of Neom and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia signed a joint venture agreement with Air Products of the United States to build the largest green hydrogen and green ammonia plant in the world. As the energy transition gains speed, this announcement is a significant step forward in establishing a new role for Middle Eastern oil-exporting countries in a future global economy less dependent on hydrocarbons. That said, the scale and relative inexperience of key project partners means the project still faces an uphill battle.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jul 24, 2020

Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

By Stephen S. Greene

“Firm” zero-carbon generation resources, which are not necessarily intended to run all the time, but can be available at any time, will be needed to complement renewable resources in the future, without emitting the CO2 produced by today’s fossil energy system. These resources might include, for example, fossil-fuel power plants with carbon capture, nuclear power plants with improved dispatchability, geothermal power, and bio-fueled generators. But the path to developing, and certainly deploying, such resources has been slower and more fraught than for renewables; these “firm” electricity generation resources represent a missing link in the path towards a decarbonized electricity grid.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Jun 25, 2020

The European Commission’s hydrogen industrial strategy and COVID-19

By Mary-Rose de Valladares

As COVID-19 enveloped Europe and the Americas, Ursula van der Leyen declared clean hydrogen energy “a pillar” of the European Union (EU)’s new industrial strategy. While COVID-19 will likely have significant effects on hydrogen’s success in Europe, it has nevertheless become a top EC energy priority.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment