On the Potential of Blue Hydrogen Production in Colombia: A Fossil Resource-Based Assessment for Low-Emission Hydrogen

Latin America is starting its energy transition. In Colombia, with its abundant natural resources and fossil fuel reserves, hydrogen (H2) could play a key role. This contribution analyzes the potential of blue H2 production in Colombia as a possible driver of the H2 economy. The study assesses the natural resources available to produce blue H2 in the context of the recently launched National Hydrogen Roadmap. Results indicate that there is great potential for low-emission blue H2 production in Colombia using coal as feedstock. Such potential, besides allowing a more sustainable use of non-renewable resources, would pave the way for green H2 deployment in Colombia. Blue H2 production from coal could range from 700 to 8000 ktH2/year by 2050 under conservative and ambitious scenarios, respectively, which could supply up to 1.5% of the global H2 demand by 2050. However, while feedstock availability is promising for blue H2 production, carbon dioxide (CO2) capture capacities and investment costs could limit this potential in Colombia. Indeed, results of this work indicate that capture capacities of 15 to 180 MtCO2/year (conservative and ambitious scenarios) need to be developed by 2050, and that the required investment for H2 deployment would be above that initially envisioned by the government. Further studies on carbon capture, utilization and storage capacity, implementation of a clear public policy, and a more detailed hydrogen strategy for the inclusion of blue H2 in the energy mix are required for establishing a low-emission H2 economy in the country.

• Autores: Domníguez Cardozo, Sara; Bustamante Londoño, Felipe; Cifuentes, Berbay; Cantillo, Nelly M.; Barraza Botet, César L.; Cobo, Martha
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2022
• Institución: Universidad de Antioquia
• Repositorio: Repositorio UdeA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/46671
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10495/46671
• Palabra clave: Carbón; Coal; Dióxido de carbono; Carbon dioxide; Carbón - gasificación; Coal gasification; Hidrogeno azul; Blue hydrogen; ODS 7: Energía asequible y no contaminante. Garantizar el acceso a una energía asequible, fiable, sostenible y moderna para todos; ODS 9: Industria, innovación e infraestructura. Construir infraestructuras resilientes, promover la industrialización inclusiva y sostenible y fomentar la innovación; ODS 12: Producción y consumo responsables. Garantizar modalidades de consumo y producción sostenibles; ODS 13: Acción por el Clima. Adoptar medidas urgentes para combatir el cambio climático y sus efectos; ODS 17: Alianzas para lograr los objetivos. Fortalecer los medios de implementación y revitalizar la Alianza Mundial para el Desarrollo Sostenible
• Rights: openAccess
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/