New study compares the emissions of Nordic hydrogen production

5.11.2025

 

A new study published in the European Journal of Energy Research analyzes the life cycle emissions of three different hydrogen production technologies in the context of Nordic countries. 

The study finds that the three electrolyzer technologies utilizing renewable wind or solar power are able to reach EU emission targets. Wind power is a more attractive electricity source regarding emissions than solar power. In addition to the electricity source, emissions related to land use changes play an important role in hydrogen production.

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Key Findings:

• No significant difference in emissions between three electrolyzer technologies

• All technologies studied can reach EU emission targets

• Hydrogen produced through wind power is less emission intense than hydrogen produced through solar power

• Land use changes related to hydrogen production can cause significant emissions 

 

The study concludes that when coupled with renewable electricity, electrolyzer technologies have low life cycle emissions. The results call for the analysis of land use effects in hydrogen production, especially for novel technologies, which require large land areas. 

This research was carried out in the JustH2Transit project funded by the Strategic Research Council established within the Research Council of Finland.

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Read the full open-access article: 
Iso-Oja, J., & Himanen, O. (2025). Life Cycle Emissions of Hydrogen Production Technologies in the Nordics. European Journal of Energy Research, 5(5), 6-17.

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