Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard Report - Hydrogen Preparedness Index for 20 Countries: Assessments of Potential and Progress for Low Carbon Hydrogen Adoption

The hydrogen industry has developed into a key arena for international competition. National governments are setting increasingly ambitious targets for hydrogen technology deployment, motivated by the promise of emissions reductions and the potential for technology leadership, economic resilience, and improved security of supply. Green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity is expected to play a central role in the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors and the transportation of renewable energy across international borders. Blue hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage is also anticipated to drive emissions reductions, especially in fossil fuel producing regions.

The characteristics of the global hydrogen economy are likely to differ substantially from those of the fossil fuel industry. Since renewable energy potentials are more widely distributed than fossil fuel resources, a fundamental reconfiguration of importer and exporter relationships is likely to occur. Additionally, hydrogen's flexibility as an energy carrier is expected to cause increasing interdependency between hitherto largely autonomous sectors such as electricity, heating, and transportation. On the other hand, existing energy system characteristics such as the quality of natural gas and electricity infrastructure and current expertise in the production and handling of fossil-based hydrogen are likely to have a strong impact on hydrogen adoption rates.

This report provides country level assessments for 20 influential national players in the hydrogen sector. The list covers a diverse selection of countries including up-and-coming players aiming to exploit their renewable energy potential as future exporters; fossil fuel producers seeking to retain control over existing markets; energy consumers intent on securing sufficient low cost hydrogen for industry and other purposes; and technology producers keen to corner the market for electrolyzers, fuel cells, and other hydrogen technologies.

Top 10 Countries

KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED:

• Which countries are expected to be the leading producers or importers of green and blue hydrogen?

• What policies have countries introduced to support low carbon hydrogen adoption?

• How do countries differ in terms of support for hydrogen production pathways and end-uses?

• Who are the leading hydrogen technology players in each country?

• How much public funding have countries committed to hydrogen technology deployment?

• What are the primary drivers and barriers affecting low carbon hydrogen uptake?

WHO NEEDS THIS REPORT:

• Electrolyzer manufacturers
• Policy makers
• Industrial hydrogen consumers
• Project financiers
• Infrastructure owners and operators
• Government agencies
• Hydrogen nonprofits and research organizations
• Utilities
• Analysts, researchers, and media professionals
• Renewable energy developers