Green Electrolytic Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels:
Recommendations for Deployment in Washington
One of the key findings of CETI’s deep decarbonization pathways studies is that with a relatively clean electricity grid, the Northwest must focus on developing clean fuels for transportation and industry, and that hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels could play a major role in decarbonizing those energy sectors.
In 2023, we partnered with Evolved Energy Research to assess opportunities for and barriers to deploying green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable fuels in Washington for a contract with the State Department of Commerce.
Starting with CETI’s Net-Zero Northwest Study, Evolved modeled 10 scenarios that explored a range of factors that could influence how Washington might develop green electrolytic hydrogen. CETI and Evolved produced Green Electrolytic Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels: Recommendations for Deployment in Washington report, which Commerce released on January 5, 2024.
The report provides technical analysis of the potential for developing green electrolytic hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels in the Evergreen state; suggestions for the best uses for green hydrogen; considerations for permitting, siting, and environmental justice; and policy recommendations.
Documents
Illustration of Green Electrolytic Hydrogen Pathways
Separate from producing this report for Commerce, CETI created an infographic to illustrate green electrolytic hydrogen pathways. This infographic shows how clean electricity can power electrolysis to create hydrogen, which is then combined with carbon to produce synthetic gas or liquid fuels; used to produce ammonia; or used directly as a fuel or in fuel-cell vehicles.
Phases for Advancing Hydrogen in Washington
This infographic visualizes the phases of green hydrogen development in Washington resulting from the Green Electrolytic Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels report: one near-term phase, between now and 2030; a medium-term phase from 2030 to 2040, during which Washington’s stringent emissions policy drives early demand for clean fuels; and a long-term phase from 2040 to 2050, when achieving a net-zero economy and decarbonizing the remaining fuel use are the primary drivers of hydrogen consumption.