BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The future of hydrogen transport appears poised for continued expansion, with the road sector set to retain a dominant role in the coming years, Trend reports.
According to reports sourced via the International Energy Agency (IEA), the road sector will likely remain the primary consumer of hydrogen in the transport industry. However, an emerging trend in hydrogen-powered trains gaining traction on various routes is steadily contributing to increased hydrogen consumption in the rail sector.
Furthermore, the year 2023 marks the commencement of operations for several fuel cell ferries, marking a significant diversification of hydrogen utilization within the realm of transport applications. Additionally, there are notable orders for vessels designed to accommodate ammonia- and methanol-ready technologies. If these innovative approaches reach commercial viability, they have the potential to further bolster hydrogen utilization in shipping.
In alignment with the IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario), the transport sector envisions the use of synthetic kerosene and the direct utilization of hydrogen as aviation fuel in the later years, expanding the scope of hydrogen usage within transport.
To align with the ambitious goals of the NZE Scenario, there is a pressing need to expedite the adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels while advancing technologies that remain in a pre-commercial phase. The NZE Scenario foresees an impressive volume of almost 8 million metric tons (Mt) of hydrogen being directly used in transport by 2030. This utilization is expected to be distributed primarily in the road (50 percent) and shipping (45 percent) sectors. In addition, approximately 8 Mt of hydrogen are designated for the production of ammonia and synthetic fuels, intended for use in both shipping and aviation.
Despite its relatively modest starting point, hydrogen use in road transport witnessed remarkable growth, increasing by approximately 45 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. Notably, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) led the way in terms of vehicle sales, gaining prominence in both the car and bus segments. As heavy-duty fuel cell truck sales continue to surge, their share of the total hydrogen consumption is on a rapid ascent.
China's strategic emphasis on heavy-duty vehicles and its substantial role in fuel cell truck deployments are noteworthy, as it consumes more than half of the hydrogen used in road transport, despite accounting for only 20 percent of all FCEVs globally.
The dynamic landscape of hydrogen transport continues to evolve, promising a future characterized by innovative applications, increased efficiency, and reduced emissions.
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