Researchers from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission have published a comprehensive assessment in Frontiers in Energy comparing the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of different renewable hydrogen delivery options within Europe. The study, titled "Techno-economic and life-cycle assessment comparisons of hydrogen delivery options," provides crucial data for policymakers charting the course towards the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

Research Background
The European Union aims to produce and import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen each by 2030 to decarbonize sectors like transport and heavy industry. Achieving this requires establishing cost-effective and sustainable long-distance transport corridors. While hydrogen production is increasingly efficient, the optimal method for delivering it remains a complex multi-criteria challenge. This paper combines Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to address this gap.

Research Content and Key Findings
The study analyzed five hydrogen carriers—compressed hydrogen (C-H₂), liquid hydrogen (L-H₂), ammonia (NH₃), methanol (MeOH), and Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC)—assuming hydrogen is produced via renewable electrolysis in Portugal and transported to the Netherlands (a 2500 km distance) by ship or pipeline.
Key Findings:

• Most Sustainable Options: The assessment identifies shipping liquid hydrogen (L-H₂ by ship) and compressed hydrogen (C-H₂ by pipeline) as the most economically and environmentally favorable pathways for long-distance transport within the reference European scenario.
• Challenges of Chemical Carriers: Carriers like ammonia, methanol, and LOHC generally exhibit higher costs and greater environmental impacts. This is primarily due to the substantial additional energy and material requirements in the conversion steps (packing and unpacking the hydrogen into the carrier), which necessitate more renewable electricity infrastructure (e.g., extra solar panels).
• Impact of Distance: For extended routes (10,000 km), liquid hydrogen maintains its advantage, while compressed hydrogen becomes less competitive due to increased fuel demand and vessel needs.

Research Significance
This comprehensive multi-criteria analysis provides valuable, harmonized insights for policymakers and stakeholders regarding sustainable hydrogen import pathways. By clearly identifying the trade-offs between cost and environmental burden—particularly the high impact associated with the energy-intensive conversion stages of chemical carriers—the findings support strategic decisions on investing in long-distance hydrogen infrastructure, such as repurposing existing natural gas pipelines for C-H₂ transport. The study also highlights the need for continued research into reducing technological uncertainties and improving the environmental footprint of emerging hydrogen technologies.

The full research article is available in Frontiers in Energy (DOI: 10.1007/s11708-025-1041-1).
DOI：10.1007/s11708-025-1041-1