Industry

What role will hydrogen and synthetic fuels play in industry in the future?

The use of hydrogen and other electricity-based synthetic hydrocarbons have the potential to contribute to the decarbonization of industry. Hydrogen is already widely used for specific industrial processes, such as ammonia and methanol production. However, synthetic energy sources are also suitable for the decarbonization of other industrial production processes or in the provision of heat. The prerequisite is CO2-neutral production of hydrogen, such as via electrolysis. Today, hydrogen is mostly obtained from steam reforming of natural gas. In addition, there are higher conversion losses and co-products in the production of hydrogen and other synthetic hydrocarbons compared to direct electrification measures. Therefore, from an energy system perspective, the rule is: as few synthetic energy sources as possible, as many as necessary. The FfE is conducting research into the future significance of synthetic energy carriers in the industry, using, among other things, the FfE industry model “SmInd.”

Specifically, we are looking at the following questions:

  • In which industrial processes and at what scale will synthetic fuels be prospectively used in a nearly complete transformation of the industry?
  • To what extent do conversion losses and co-products of electrolysis affect efficiency in industry?
  • What are the overarching drivers for the use of hydrogen in the industry?
  • Why is hydrogen not the sole solution to achieve the decarbonization of industry?

Below you will find our news, publications and projects on the topic

More News on Topic (2)

  • Project launch CO₂ infrastructure requirements in Bavaria
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  • The Route to Climate Neutrality with Hydrogen for Bavaria's Chemical Triangle
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More Publications on Topic (13)

  • Framework of the transformation in ChemDelta Bavaria - status report of the H2-Reallabor Burghausen project
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  • Series of articles Carbon Management: CCS – How can CO2 be stored?
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  • Series of articles Carbon Management: What are possible ways to use CO2?
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  • Series of articles Carbon Management: How can CO2 be captured?
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  • Series of articles Carbon Management: What does carbon management mean?
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More Projects on Topic (9)

  • H2-Reallabor Burghausen / ChemDelta Bavaria
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  • Bid-E-V | Bidirectional Electric Vans
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  • Analysis of CO₂ infrastructure requirements in Bavaria
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  • Hydrogen study for the Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar
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  • The Kopernikus Project SynErgie
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