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Prioritizing the role of renewable fuels and hydrogen networks in the transition towards net zero emissions in Western Europe

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  • Jacquemin, Julien
  • Thiran, Paolo
  • Quoilin, Sylvain

Abstract

Recent developments in the European Union’s energy strategy have highlighted the significance of renewable fuels for the sustainability of the continent’s energy system. However, their diverse production methods and end-use possibilities, along with untapped cross-sectoral synergies, call for energy modeling to identify optimal pathways for renewable fuel production and utilization. To comprehend the complex mechanisms driving the energy transition, we analyze the potential roles of each renewable fuel and hydrogen interconnections as we increase carbon dioxide emission restrictions. Making use of the model EnergyScope MultiCell, this study encompasses the electricity, buildings, transport, agriculture, and industry sectors across Western Europe, employing an hourly time resolution. The results reveal that renewable fuels prove effective in reducing the final 20% of emissions compared to 1990 levels. Regarding hydrogen use, 80% of the 3300 TWh yearly production is used as an intermediate energy vector for producing other fuels, while the rest is used in road freight transportation and in the steel industry. A hydrogen network facilitates the energy transition by reducing its costs by 7.5%. Despite this, gas infrastructures remain valuable assets, with only 45% of hydrogen interconnections being retrofitted gas pipelines, underscoring their importance for renewable gas exchanges.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacquemin, Julien & Thiran, Paolo & Quoilin, Sylvain, 2025. "Prioritizing the role of renewable fuels and hydrogen networks in the transition towards net zero emissions in Western Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:314:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224038477
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134069
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Limpens, Gauthier & Moret, Stefano & Jeanmart, Hervé & Maréchal, Francois, 2019. "EnergyScope TD: A novel open-source model for regional energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
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    3. Karlo Hainsch & Thorsten Burandt & Konstantin Loffler & Claudia Kemfert & Pao-Yu Oei & Christian von Hirschhausen, 2021. "Emission Pathways Towards a Low-Carbon Energy System for Europe: A Model-Based Analysis of Decarbonization Scenarios," The Energy Journal, , vol. 42(5), pages 41-66, September.
    4. Paolo Thiran & Hervé Jeanmart & Francesco Contino, 2023. "Validation of a Method to Select a Priori the Number of Typical Days for Energy System Optimisation Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Pfenninger, Stefan & DeCarolis, Joseph & Hirth, Lion & Quoilin, Sylvain & Staffell, Iain, 2017. "The importance of open data and software: Is energy research lagging behind?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 211-215.
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    1. Erdas, Mehmet Levent & Caglar, Abdullah Emre & Uche, Emmanuel & Ahmed, Zahoor, 2025. "A new frontier in understanding the dynamics of environmental sustainability in the context of finance and low carbon energy investment: Evidence from artificial intelligence and Fourier approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).

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