Green hydrogen and an evolving concept of energy security: Challenges and comparisons

The electrification of the global energy systems via renewable resources is seen as a key method of decarbonization but as not all energy demand can be easily electrified new solutions are needed. One of them is hydrogen. Production of green hydrogen requires large amounts of renewables, wind and solar, and water. The transition to a net-zero energy system changes the geopolitics of energy and while alleviating some problems might cause others. In this paper we firstly map the evolution of the energy security concept and the place of hydrogen in that discussion. Although a transition to a green energy system is considered a positive development taking into consideration the climate needs, the shift itself may also bring challenges. We point out three categories of risks linked to the wider use of green hydrogen: geopolitical, market and trade challenges. Secondly, we evaluate the cost of green hydrogen and its derivatives from eight exporting countries to the port of Rotterdam and evaluate cost developments in several 2035 and 2050 scenarios.