Electricity- and hydrogen-driven energy system sector-coupling in net-zero CO2 emission pathways
article
Electricity- and hydrogen-based sector coupling contributes to realizing the transition towards greenhouse gas neutrality in the European energy system. Energy system and integrated assessment models show that, to follow path ways compatible with the European policy target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, large amounts of renewable electricity and H2 need to be generated, mostly by scaling-up wind and solar energy production capacity. With a set of such models, under jointly adopted deep decarbonisation sce nario assumptions, we here show that the ensuing direct penetration of elec tricity and H2 in final energy consumption may rise to average shares of around 60% and 6%, respectively, by 2050. We demonstrate that electrification proves the most cost-efficient decarbonisation route in all economic sectors, while the direct use of H2 in final energy consumption provides a relatively small, though essential, contribution to deep decarbonisation. We conclude that the variance observed across results from different models reflects the uncer tainties that abound in the shape of deep decarbonisation pathways, in par ticular with regard to the role of H2.
Topics
TNO Identifier
1023437
Source
Nature Communications(16), pp. 1-12.
Pages
1-12