HYDROGEN EXPLAINED
Compare the pathways, then consider the infrastructure and customer requirements around them.
Electrolysers split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The emissions outcome depends heavily on the electricity source, system boundaries and operating profile.
Alkaline and PEM systems have different engineering characteristics. Procurement must consider flexibility, water quality, degradation and balance-of-plant requirements.
Natural gas can be converted to hydrogen using reforming, with carbon capture added to reduce process emissions.
Capture rate alone does not establish lifecycle emissions. Upstream methane, energy inputs, uncaptured emissions and permanent storage also matter.
Ask for a measured emissions intensity, production boundary, purity, pressure and delivery specification.
“Green” or “blue” shorthand is not a substitute for verified lifecycle accounting or the certification required in the destination market.
CONNECTING PRODUCTION AND DEMAND
| Route | Useful context | Questions to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| On-site / pipeline | Industrial clusters and regular demand | Volume, rights of way, pressure, materials and reliability |
| Compressed gas | Distributed demand and shorter logistics chains | Compression energy, storage footprint and delivery frequency |
| Liquid hydrogen | High-density transport and specialised applications | Liquefaction energy, cryogenic equipment and boil-off |
| Ammonia or other carriers | International trade or direct chemical use | Conversion losses, toxicity, certification and reconversion if needed |
Determine annual volume, load profile, purity and delivery terms before choosing plant capacity. Compare hydrogen with direct electrification and other options for the actual process.
This overview draws on the IEA’s 2026 review and Linde’s hydrogen plant technical overview. It is an educational comparison, not engineering design.
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