Prospects for Using Hydrogen in Various Branches of the World Economy as One of the Directions of Its Decarbonization

Abstract

The review deals with the state of the art and prospects for using hydrogen in various branches of the world economy: in industry (oil-refining, chemical, steel-casting, cement), on transport (road, railway, maritime, aviation), and in production and distribution of the electric and thermal power. Using hydrogen is one of efficient directions of the economy decarbonization. The possibility and efficiency of using hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and synthetic kerosene as a fuel for internal combustion engines and gas turbines in various kinds of vehicles and in production of the electric and thermal power are evaluated. The need for long-term hydrogen storage for reducing the influence exerted on the operation of electric networks by seasonal variations in the electric power production from renewable sources is demonstrated, and the hydrogen storage methods are considered. The feasibility of various procedures for utilizing CO 2 formed in the course of hydrogen production by steam methane conversion at industrial enterprises using hydrogen for their own needs are analyzed.