Applications of hydrogen-based technologies in answering developing countries needs by 2020-2025

The current study aims at identifying the potential applications of hydrogen-based technologies in answering developing countries needs by 2020-2025. In order to do so, developing needs have been split into several categories. So do hydrogen production, storage and use technologies, as well as the energy sources used for hydrogen production (part 2). Based on some maturity data for hydrogen systems (part 3) and some cost figures (appendix), it has then become possible to identify solutions (meaning the conjunction of a raw material, hydrogen production technology, energy source, storage and distribution technology, use technology) answering a given need. The outcome of this study is that hydrogen systems can actually answer part of the development needs: This work has enabled the creation of solution sheets, twelve namely (part 4). These sheets are not exhaustive, and can efficiently be combined so as to best match a particular need, if applied to actual projects. The geographical context, as well as the raw materials and energy sources availability, are key drivers in selecting the applicable solutions. The solutions presented in the frame of this study can answer the following needs: - Multi-purpose electricity supply (as base load or back-up, from a centralized or remote production, and with various available power ranges) - Thermal supply (with heat or cold being co-produced) - Energy supply in particular cases (telecom network, portable electronic devices) - Transportation, in the particular case of captive fleets. Two key contextual parameters have also greatly driven this study: - Hydrogen can benefit from a significant advantage other its competitors (generators mainly), even more when it is produced on a 'green' basis (which implies not through the currently widely spread steam methane reforming). - Using hydrogen, part of the new energy mix, can allow to be no longer dependent on oil prices, which are likely to increase by 2020-2025 to such a level that oil would become un-affordable for the poor households. Consequently, this study illustrates that the most likely straight forward applicable solutions are those relying on renewable energies to produce hydrogen through an electrolyser, or on steam reforming of a 'green' row source. Furthermore, stored hydrogen can allow a continuous electricity supply, when used in a fuel cell, even when an electrolyser is relying on an intermittent renewable energy source. Such a system can thus guarantee a continuous access to electricity in remote areas not connected to the grid. The main barrier to be overcome before implementation of such a solution is more economic rather than technical. Development efforts performed by industrial companies can thus realistically be thought to allow, by 2020-2025, a significant cut in costs, sufficient to make these solutions affordable. Such a sentence would however deserve a deeper analysis in order to be confirmed or denied. Similarly, use of hydrogen on a storage purpose with the target to increase electricity grid reliability also seems to be an interesting path to investigate. On that respect, hydrogen would then compete with all the existing or under development storage technologies. At last, all the other solutions included in this study are corresponding to a real need of developing countries. There is thus a market existing that industrial companies are definitely able to meet if they wish to. More generally speaking, there is little doubt that, on this kind of subjects, a connection between industrial companies and civil society actors can only result in a favourable outcome: The first ones can have new markets to capture, provided they develop low cost well fitted products, while the latter can benefit earlier from the technological breakthrough occurring in western countries, so as to improve the efficiency of the projects implemented in developing countries. The outcome of this study consequently is that there is a real potential for the successful application of hydrogen systems to answer development needs. However, the technological improvements required are substantial for a full applicability as early as 2020-2025: Efforts (R and D, financing, pilot studies) are thus required