The new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogen

Van de Graaf, Thijs; Overland, Indra; Scholten, D.J.; Westphal, Kirsten

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101667

The new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogen

Title

The new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogen

Author

Van de Graaf, Thijs (Universiteit Gent)
Overland, Indra (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI))
Scholten, D.J. (TU Delft Economics of Technology and Innovation)
Westphal, Kirsten (German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP))

Date

2020

Abstract

While most hydrogen research focuses on the technical and cost hurdles to a full-scale hydrogen economy, little consideration has been given to the geopolitical drivers and consequences of hydrogen developments. The technologies and infrastructures underpinning a hydrogen economy can take markedly different forms, and the choice over which pathway to take is the object of competition between different stakeholders and countries. Over time, cross-border maritime trade in hydrogen has the potential to fundamentally redraw the geography of global energy trade, create a new class of energy exporters, and reshape geopolitical relations and alliances between countries. International governance and investments to scale up hydrogen value chains could reduce the risk of market fragmentation, carbon lock-in, and intensified geo-economic rivalry.

Subject

Energy trade
Geopolitics
Global market
Hydrogen
International governance

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8c0934bc-2eba-425d-8132-251682a62700

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101667

Embargo date

2022-06-30

ISSN

2214-6296

Source

Energy Research and Social Science, 70