On the Potential of Blue Hydrogen Production in Colombia: A Fossil Resource-Based Assessment for Low-Emission Hydrogen

Abstract

Latin America is starting its energy transition. In Colombia, with its abundant natural resources and fossil fuel reserves, hydrogen (H2) could play a key role. This contribution analyzes the potential of blue H2 production in Colombia as a possible driver of the H2 economy. The study assesses the natural resources available to produce blue H2 in the context of the recently launched National Hydrogen Roadmap. Results indicate that there is great potential for low-emission blue H2 production in Colombia using coal as feedstock. Such potential, besides allowing a more sustainable use of non-renewable resources, would pave the way for green H2 deployment in Colombia. Blue H2 production from coal could range from 700 to 8000 ktH2/year by 2050 under conservative and ambitious scenarios, respectively, which could supply up to 1.5% of the global H2 demand by 2050. However, while feedstock availability is promising for blue H2 production, carbon dioxide (CO2) capture capacities and investment costs could limit this potential in Colombia. Indeed, results of this work indicate that capture capacities of 15 to 180 MtCO2/year (conservative and ambitious scenarios) need to be developed by 2050, and that the required investment for H2 deployment would be above that initially envisioned by the government. Further studies on carbon capture, utilization and storage capacity, implementation of a clear public policy, and a more detailed hydrogen strategy for the inclusion of blue H2 in the energy mix are required for establishing a low-emission H2 economy in the country.

The Role of Low-Emission Hydrogen in Developing Countries: A Techno-Economic Assessment of Hydrogen Pathways in Colombia

“…Quantified the potential to produce coal-based hydrogen between 700 and 8000 kt/year, along with the CO2 capture capacity ranging between 15 to 180 MtCO2/year [83] Most of these studies acknowledge the high potential for low-emission hydrogen production in Colombia and emphasize the importance of adequately representing the hydrogen value chain. While some authors have provided detailed descriptions of the production stages, others have focused on the environmental aspects of hydrogen supply.…”

“…SMR plants without and with carbon capture and storage (CCS) are included as the most common technology of production [92]. Coal gasification with CCS is considered due to enormous domestic reserves of coal and the need for a transition in coal-production regions [81,83,93]. Gasification is also selected as the technology of hydrogen production from biomass, owing to the maturity of the technology and the characteristics of residual biomass in the country [41].…”

Net-Zero Industry: Options for Plastics, Textiles, Automobiles, and Fisheries in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

“…Both could be produced overseas and imported to Colombia, but they could also be produced domestically. Colombia has both the geography and industrial base for producing low-cost electricity from renewable energy, a key input to so-called green hydrogen and ammonia (Muñoz-Fernández et al, 2022;Ullman & Kittner, 2022), and could also potentially produce so-called blue hydrogen from the coal industry if suitable carbon capture infrastructure were in place (Domínguez et al, 2022). 5 Colombia already has an existing mature petrochemical industry with the workforce and local knowledge to produce and export liquid fuels.…”

Green Hydrogen Production and Public Health Expenditure in Hydrogen-Exporting Countries

“…Blue hydrogen is thought of as a transitional technology before a full switch to green hydrogen. Even though the technology reduces emissions, it is still a long way from being climate neutral (Dom et al, 2022).…”