Climate issue:<\/strong> emissions vary with the process, energy used and actual CO\u2082 capture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat is hydrogen as an energy carrier?<\/h2>\n
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the Universe. On Earth, it is mainly bound to other elements, particularly in water and hydrocarbons. The molecule used as fuel or feedstock is molecular hydrogen (H\u2082). Because it is rarely available in pure form in recoverable quantities, it must be separated from compounds containing it.<\/p>\n
Hydrogen is an energy carrier: it can store and release energy, but energy must be spent to make it. It is also an input already used in refineries and the chemical industry, particularly to produce ammonia and fertilisers. The current challenge is to progressively replace fossil-derived hydrogen in these uses, then cautiously assess new markets.<\/p>\n
How is hydrogen produced?<\/h2>\nFrom natural gas<\/h3>\n
The most widespread method is steam methane reforming. Natural gas reacts with steam at high temperature to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This process is generally called \u2018grey\u2019 hydrogen when it does not include CO\u2082 capture. It remains dominant today because facilities and supply chains are already in place.<\/p>\n
CO\u2082 capture and storage can reduce some emissions at the plant. Hydrogen produced this way is often described as \u2018blue\u2019. Its overall impact depends on the actual capture rate, energy consumption, upstream emissions and methane leaks. The label alone is therefore insufficient to establish the product's carbon intensity.<\/p>\n
Through water electrolysis<\/h3>\n
An electrolyser uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. When electricity comes from renewable sources and its origin is properly verified, this is generally called renewable or \u2018green\u2019 hydrogen. If electrolysis uses a grid whose generation remains largely fossil-based, emissions can be significantly higher.<\/p>\n
Electrolysis requires large quantities of electricity and a suitable water supply. Its competitiveness depends on electricity prices and availability, electrolyser costs, financing and proximity to users. In 2025, global installed electrolysis capacity exceeded 4 GW, but low-emissions production remained below 1% of global supply.<\/p>\n
Other production routes<\/h3>\n
Processes using biomass, waste or other materials are also being studied. Their performance and emissions depend on the resource, technology and management of co-products. Natural hydrogen, sometimes called \u2018white hydrogen\u2019, is being explored, but it does not yet represent an established large-scale commercial industry.<\/p>\n
What do the colours mean?<\/h2>\n
The colours \u2014 grey, blue, green, sometimes pink or yellow \u2014 are shorthand for certain production routes. They do not constitute a uniform certification everywhere. Definitions and emissions thresholds vary between countries and regulatory frameworks. To compare two hydrogen products, it is more rigorous to examine their life-cycle emissions intensity, the electricity or feedstock used and verification methods.<\/p>\n
Storage, transport and conversion<\/h2>\n
At room temperature, molecular hydrogen occupies a large volume per unit of energy. It can be compressed at high pressure or liquefied at around \u2212253 \u00b0C, requiring specific equipment and consuming energy. Dedicated pipelines, trailers and specialised vessels can transport hydrogen or certain products containing it.<\/p>\n
Another option is to convert hydrogen into ammonia, methanol or synthetic fuels. These molecules are easier to transport through some existing logistics chains, but manufacturing and subsequent reconversion entail costs and energy losses. The most efficient strategy is often to produce hydrogen close to its user when long-distance transport is not essential.<\/p>\n
Where can hydrogen be useful?<\/h2>\n
Existing industrial uses \u2014 refining, ammonia and chemicals \u2014 provide the most immediate opportunities to reduce emissions if fossil-derived hydrogen is replaced by low-emissions production. In steelmaking, hydrogen can also act as a reducing agent in certain iron production processes.<\/p>\n
In transport, it may suit certain uses that are difficult to electrify directly, such as hydrogen-derived marine or aviation fuels. Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity aboard a vehicle, but overall efficiency depends on the entire production and delivery chain. For passenger cars, comparisons with batteries must include infrastructure, costs and energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
Globally, demand exceeded 100 million tonnes in 2025, mainly in refining and industry. New applications still accounted for a very small share. The International Energy Agency considers that project development remains constrained by costs, demand uncertainty, evolving rules and a lack of infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Potential and strategic choices for Africa<\/h2>\n
Solar and wind resources may offer some African countries attractive conditions for renewable hydrogen production. However, theoretical potential guarantees neither a profitable project nor local benefits. Financing, water access, electricity grids, ports, purchase agreements and industrial demand must all be in place.<\/p>\n
The IEA estimates that African hydrogen demand reached 3.1 million tonnes in 2024, concentrated particularly in Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria and largely intended for ammonia. For the continent, a sound strategy must connect projects with electricity access, fertilisers, industrialisation and domestic needs. Exports can contribute to the economy, but they must not divert investment essential to grids and local productive uses.<\/p>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\nIs hydrogen renewable energy?<\/h3>\n
Not automatically. Hydrogen is a carrier whose overall impact depends on the process and energy used to produce it. It can be renewable if the electricity used for electrolysis comes from renewable sources, but other methods rely on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n
Does hydrogen emit only water?<\/h3>\n
In a fuel cell, the reaction with oxygen mainly produces water. This does not describe upstream emissions from production, compression, transport or liquefaction.<\/p>\n
Why not use it everywhere?<\/h3>\n
Manufacturing, storage and transport require energy and costly equipment. It is most relevant where direct electrification is difficult or where it replaces fossil-derived hydrogen already used by industry.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hydrogen inspires major ambitions in industry and energy, but it is not a primary source abundantly available in pure form. It must be produced from water, natural gas or other feedstocks, then stored and transported. Its climate value therefore depends on the energy consumed, manufacturing emissions and intended use. In 2025, low-emissions hydrogen still accounted for less than 1% of global production.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9087,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25,3002],"tags":[3675,3674,331,3676,3673],"class_list":["post-9088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energie","category-lexique","tag-decarbonation-industrielle","tag-electrolyse","tag-hydrogene","tag-hydrogene-bas-carbone","tag-hydrogene-vert"],"yoast_head":"\n
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