H2demand by year is modeled by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 scenario2; assumed H2O electrolysis electricity requirement is 50 kWh/kg H2.3Here, refining refers to oil refining; industry refers to chemicals, iron/steel, and other industry sectors according to the IEA NZE; transport refers to road, aviation, and maritime shipping; and power/heat refer to gas blending, electricity generation, and building consumption, in accordance with the IEA NZE. To satisfy H2demand in 2020 by H2O electrolysis (4.4 PWh/year), the required electricity amount is approximately equivalent to the entire yearly electricity generation of the United States or the total global electricity generation via hydroelectric power.4,5Satisfying projected H2demand in the NZE scenario in 2050 (26.4 PWh/year) will require nearly the entire 2023 global electricity generation, i.e., an electricity grid the size of the world’s electricity grid today will be needed solely for H2production to satisfy H2demand via H2O electrolysis.
