Does Europe Need a Hydrogen Network?

We are often told that a hydrogen grid is essential if Europe wants to reach its climate targets. Such claims are often based on modelling with strong fixed assumptions.

In this FSR Insights event, Tom Brown, TU Berlin, examines results from a highly-detailed energy system model that endogenises as many choices about energy supply and infrastructure as possible. The presentation explores trade-offs between electricity grid expansion and hydrogen networks, as well as between e-fuel imports and domestic production.

While energy trade is always cost-optimal, there are many near-optimal solutions with attractive properties of resilience, lower land usage and less infrastructure lock-in. The FSR Insights rounds off with a discussion of the benefits of open energy modelling for infrastructure decision-making.

Hosts

Leonardo Meeus | Florence School of Regulation (FSR)

Lucila de Almeida | FSR & Nova School of Law

Keynote Speaker

Tom Brown |TU Berlin

Discussants

Christine Brandstätt | Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure

Tim Schittekatte|FSR and MIT

Read these recent publications ahead of the event:

Marta Victoria, Elisabeth Zeyen, Tom Brown, ‘Speed of technological transformations required in Europe to achieve different climate goals’, Joule, 2022

Fabian Neumann, Elisabeth Zeyen, Marta Victoria, Tom Brown, ‘Benefits of a Hydrogen Network in Europe’, preprint under review, 2022