SP6 Societal anchorage of a HYPOGEN demonstration

SP leader: Fraunhofer ISI

Objectives

Exploring the market environment, the financial options, the legal and regulatory environment and the public perception of a future HYPOGEN plant. Based on the findings of the exploratory work, the aim is to develop strategies for a successful societal anchorage of a demonstration of hydrogen and electricity production from decarbonised fossil fuels.

Problem definition

The development and market introduction of Hydrogen and electricity production linked to CO₂ capture and storage technologies constitute a large scale innovation in the existing energy systems. The decarbonisation of fossil fuels will require new technologies and integration schemes at the power conversion units. A transport infrastructure for the products hydrogen and CO₂ will be needed and eventually operational storage technologies at suitable sites. The introduction of this concept thus involves the creation of two new major product streams requiring a market and distribution infrastructure to the point of use or the sink respectively.

Any successful innovation comprises not only new inventive elements of technology or organisational structure, but also a societal dimension of market demand, regulatory embedding and public acceptance. Without a supportive societal embedding, inventions do not make their way to a successful innovation.