Power-to-hydrogen and hydrogen-to-X energy systems for the industry of the future in Europe

The EU is promoting hydrogen as enabling energy carrier that may account for up to 20% of energy and especially fulfill between 20% and 50% of transportation demands and between 5% and 20% of industrial needs. To ensure the success of this shift, Power-to-Hydrogen and Hydrogen-to-X technologies have attracted significant interest because they transform renewable power directly into green hydrogen, via water electrolysis, which can be stored and transferred more readily than other fuels for several end-uses. The present paper aims to discuss the role of such technologies in the current and future energy systems, with a specific reference to the European scenario. The main energy sectors where hydrogen could play an important role will be discussed, such as transportation, power generation, manufacturing sectors, refining and agriculture, with a focus on potential technological integration and synergies, providing a guideline for industrial players up to 2050 with a discussion about technology maturity by presenting short-term/long-term roadmaps.