As industries worldwide seek to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, TotalEnergies and Air Liquide are intensifying their investments in green hydrogen—a key pillar in global decarbonisation strategies. Hydrogen’s growing role as a clean energy carrier is reshaping how companies approach industrial sustainability, though challenges in production, storage and scaling persist.

When combusted, hydrogen emits only water vapour, eliminating carbon dioxide emissions. This property positions it as a versatile fuel capable of supporting the transition to low-carbon operations. Hydrogen can be used directly in internal combustion engines or to generate electricity through fuel cells, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial and mobility applications.

Governments and international blocs, including the European Union, are introducing hydrogen roadmaps and incentive frameworks to accelerate production, deployment and adoption across energy systems. These policies reflect growing recognition of hydrogen’s importance in meeting net-zero emission targets.

The hydrogen industry categorises the fuel using a colour-coded system that identifies its production method. Green hydrogen is produced via electrolysis, using renewable electricity from solar or wind power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Grey hydrogen, by contrast, is generated through steam methane reforming (SMR), which extracts hydrogen from natural gas but emits significant amounts of CO₂ as a byproduct. Blue hydrogen uses the same process as grey but incorporates carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to prevent emissions from entering the atmosphere.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Hydrogen Review 2024, global demand for hydrogen has more than tripled since 1975, reflecting its expanding industrial footprint. The report also highlights that low-emissions hydrogen demand increased by nearly 10% in 2023, signalling momentum toward cleaner production pathways.

This acceleration aligns with international climate objectives. The United Nations notes that, as of June 2024, 107 countries—responsible for approximately 82% of global greenhouse gas emissions—have adopted net-zero commitments.

While challenges around cost, storage and infrastructure remain, growing private-sector participation by companies such as TotalEnergies and Air Liquide underscores hydrogen’s central role in shaping a sustainable, carbon-neutral industrial future.

Source:

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