While 59% of companies are set to explore hydrogen-based fuels and technologies in future, only 2% have made a start today, with technical maturity concerns seemingly the main thing holding them back.
Centrica Business Solutions published a report, having surveyed 300 European executives to explore how they are planning on overcoming compliance, cost and technology challenges as they chase down net zero. Part of this approach includes hydrogen-based fuels and technologies, though just 24% are developing blue hydrogen processing capabilities or offtake agreements, with 10% doing so for green hydrogen.
Technical maturity was cited by 56% as the reason why they are hesitant to proceed right now with embracing hydrogen-based fuels and technologies, though Centrica Business Solutions stressed the idea technology is not ready is a myth and holding too many organisations back.
For example, while blue and green hydrogen is yet to reach the cost and scale to allow them to be widespread, combined heat and power (CHP) systems that currently run on coal, natural gas or biomass can be repurposed to use hydrogen blends.
It went on to make a series of recommendations, including that organisations must ensure they are informed and open-minded about technology, pointing to how hydrogen-ready CHP can be put in place now and the transferred gradually over to lower emission fuels.
