The study “Trajectory for a great hydrogen ambition” published by France Hydrogène not only reveals that the objectives set by the National Hydrogen Strategy for 2030 are achievable, but also highlights the opportunity to move towards a more ambitious deployment scenario .
In a context of the fight against global warming and post-pandemic economic recovery, France positioned itself in 2020 to meet the challenges with a National Hydrogen Strategy with public support of 7.2 billion euros over 10 years and whose priority areas are the decarbonization of industry combining the emergence of a competitive electrolysis sector, the development of professional mobility using hydrogen and support for research and innovation, and skills development. It aims to deploy 6.5 GW of electrolysis by 2030 and thus avoid the emission of 6 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Two scenarios
France Hydrogène makes its contribution to the implementation of this Strategy, by proposing a roadmap through quantified deployment objectives for 2030 and by locating anchor points for massive deployment on the national territory with seven large basins identified geographic areas where the pooling of production and uses will make it possible to reduce costs. “Large territorial hubs are being set up on the national territory, making it possible to ultimately ensure a complete network,” underlines Philippe Boucly, president of France Hydrogène.
Two scenarios were studied:
The “Ambition 2030” scenario is fully in line with the National Strategy with an annual consumption of 680,000 tonnes (680 kt) of renewable or low-carbon hydrogen by 2030, including:
– 475 kt (70%) for the industrial sector;
– 160 kt (23%) for mobility (300,000 light vehicles, 5,000 heavy goods vehicles, 65 boats and ships and 100 trains);
– 45 kt (7%) for the energy sector.
The “Ambition+ 2030” scenario increases the objectives by 60%, or 1,090 kt of annual hydrogen consumption, including:
– 635 kt (58%) for the industrial sector;
– 325 kt (30%) for mobility (450,000 light vehicles, 10,000 heavy goods vehicles, 135 boats and ships and 250 trains);
– 130 kt (12%) for the energy sector.
The study shows that the current rate of deployment of renewable energies (onshore wind and photovoltaic) could be sufficient to power uses subject to the European Directive on renewable energies (RED2) alone. On the other hand, the extension of RED2 to the industrial sector, as proposed by the draft RED3 Directive (“Fit for 55” package), would accentuate the need for new renewable electricity production capacities and would require an acceleration of the pace of deployment. renewable energies, already behind schedule today with regard to the objectives of the PPE. The “gigafactories” of fuel cells, electrolyzers and even hydrogen recharging stations announced between 2025 and 2030 will allow national manufacturers to take a significant market share at the national level while positioning themselves strongly for export in Europe and in the world. “It is clear that if France moved towards the “Ambition+ 2030” scenario as the context requires, the conditions of public financial support would have to be reviewed,” declares Philippe Boucly.
