Hydrogen Development in China and the EU: A Recommended Tian Ji's Horse Racing Strategy

TL;DR

This paper compares hydrogen development strategies in China and the EU, analyzing regional factors, policies, and industrial synergies to inform future energy transition policies and promote sustainable hydrogen economies.

Contribution

It introduces a comparative analysis framework for hydrogen development, focusing on regional case studies and policy implications in China and the EU.

Findings

Identifies key regional differences in hydrogen supply and demand.

Highlights policy incentives driving hydrogen industry growth.

Provides insights into regional industrial synergies and future trends.

Abstract

The global momentum towards establishing sustainable energy systems has become increasingly prominent. Hydrogen, as a remarkable carbon-free and renewable energy carrier, has been endorsed by 39 countries at COP28 in the UAE, recognizing its essential role in global energy transition and industry decarbonization. Both the European Union (EU) and China are at the forefront of this shift, developing hydrogen strategies to enhance regional energy security and racing for carbon neutrality commitments by 2050 for the EU and 2060 for China. The wide applications of hydrogen across hard-to-abate sectors and the flexibility of decentralized production and storage offer customized solutions utilizing local resources in a self-paced manner. To unveil the trajectory of hydrogen development in China and the EU, this paper proposes a comparative analysis framework employing key factors to investigate hydrogen developments in both economic powerhouses. Beyond country-wise statistics, it dives into representative hydrogen economic areas in China (Inner Mongolia, Capital Economic Circle, Yangtze River Delta) and Europe (Delta Rhine Corridor) for understanding supply and demand, industrial synergy, and policy incentives for local hydrogen industries. The derived implications offer stakeholders an evolving hydrogen landscape across the Eurasian continent and insights for future policy developments facilitating the global green transition.