Remuneration formats in support schemes for hydrogen from electrolysis

What to incentivise and why?

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

Paolo Mastropietro (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

Kenneth Bruninx (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)

Rafael Cossent (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

Antonio Bello (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

Pablo Rodilla (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

Research Group
Energy and Industry
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.153775 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Energy and Industry
Journal title
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume number
213
Article number
153775
Page Views
63
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Abstract

Support mechanisms for low-carbon hydrogen are becoming increasingly widespread, with large amounts of public funding being invested to underpin the initial development of this new energy sector. A clear distinction has emerged in support schemes for hydrogen production through electrolysis, depending on whether remuneration is expressed per MW of electrolysis capacity or per kg of hydrogen produced. This dichotomy has led many experts to draw parallels with support schemes for renewable electricity generation and their distinction between capacity- and production-based mechanisms. This article contributes to this discussion by: i) providing a theoretical assessment of the similarities and differences between low-carbon hydrogen support schemes and other support mechanisms introduced in the electricity sector; and ii) developing a quantitative assessment based on simulations to explore the impact of selecting a remuneration format for hydrogen support, and to evaluate the economic signals sent to project developers by both remuneration formats.

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