Hydrogen Supply Chains in the Netherlands: A techno-economic and socio-political performance analysis

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

M. Hiestermann Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

C.A. Ramirez Ramirez Energy and Industry (supervisor 1)
J. Rezaei Transport and Logistics - TPM (supervisor 2)
S.E. Bielefeld Energy and Industry (coach)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2022 Maleen Hiestermann
Hydrogen Supply Chain Netherlands Techno-economic analysis Socio-Political Acceptance
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Published Date

31-10-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

The Netherlands has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. In this respect, hydrogen is a promising part of the pathway to meeting climate targets. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the potential domestic and global supply chains in the Netherlands and their techno-economic and socio-political performance under current technology, market, and energy policy conditions.

Therefore, this thesis aims to identify the key trade-offs of future hydrogen supply chain portfolios that meet stakeholders' objectives in the Netherlands: The drivers, barriers, and facilitators for hydrogen supply chains in the Netherlands are identified. Possible technology combinations that can form domestic and global hydrogen supply chains, including resulting portfolios, are created. The techno-economic and socio-political performance is assessed, and trade-offs are identified.

The results were derived from literature studies on hydrogen supply chain components and technologies, performance criteria, and hydrogen supply chains in the Netherlands. Additional expert interviews provided country-specific insights on the strategies, utilization, and evaluation of hydrogen supply chains in the near future (2030).

The system analysis on hydrogen supply chains showed that the socio-technical landscape, regime, and niche levels contain drivers, barriers, and facilitators to their adoption. The main drivers for hydrogen supply chains in the Netherlands are affordability, sustainability, and acceptability. When considering the performance of the supply chains according to the performance criteria, it becomes apparent that there is no universal supply chain portfolio that can fulfill all stakeholders' objectives in the Netherlands. The key trade-off identified is that higher sustainability comes with higher acceptability but leads to lower affordability.

Comparable results in literature confirm that each supply chain has trade-offs on a techno-economic and socio-political dimension that need to be weighed by stakeholders depending on the use case and objective. To accelerate the implementation of hydrogen to reach national climate targets and improve energy security, additional policies are needed in the Netherlands to overcome the existing barriers and uncertainties. In particular, policies must define conversion, transport, and reconversion strategies and support schemes, consider impacts and risks for society, and emissions from the entire supply chain when importing hydrogen for emission reduction purposes.