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

Sara Domínguez, Bernay Cifuentes, Felipe Bustamante, Nelly M. Cantillo, César L. Barraza-Botet and Martha Cobo ()
Additional contact information
Sara Domínguez: Environmental Catalysis Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia
Bernay Cifuentes: Chemical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Salle, Carrera 2 No. 10-70, Bogotá 11001, Colombia
Felipe Bustamante: Environmental Catalysis Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia
Nelly M. Cantillo: Energy, Materials and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Sabana, Campus Universitario Puente del Común, Km. 7 Autopista Norte, Bogotá 250001, Colombia
César L. Barraza-Botet: Energy, Materials and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Sabana, Campus Universitario Puente del Común, Km. 7 Autopista Norte, Bogotá 250001, Colombia
Martha Cobo: Energy, Materials and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Sabana, Campus Universitario Puente del Común, Km. 7 Autopista Norte, Bogotá 250001, Colombia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: Latin America is starting its energy transition. In Colombia, with its abundant natural resources and fossil fuel reserves, hydrogen (H 2 ) could play a key role. This contribution analyzes the potential of blue H 2 production in Colombia as a possible driver of the H 2 economy. The study assesses the natural resources available to produce blue H 2 in the context of the recently launched National Hydrogen Roadmap. Results indicate that there is great potential for low-emission blue H 2 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 H 2 deployment in Colombia. Blue H 2 production from coal could range from 700 to 8000 kt H 2 /year by 2050 under conservative and ambitious scenarios, respectively, which could supply up to 1.5% of the global H 2 demand by 2050. However, while feedstock availability is promising for blue H 2 production, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture capacities and investment costs could limit this potential in Colombia. Indeed, results of this work indicate that capture capacities of 15 to 180 Mt CO 2 /year (conservative and ambitious scenarios) need to be developed by 2050, and that the required investment for H 2 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 H 2 in the energy mix are required for establishing a low-emission H 2 economy in the country.

Keywords: blue hydrogen; coal; CO 2 capture; Colombia; gasification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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