Decarbonising Agriculture with Green Hydrogen: A Stakeholder-Guided Feasibility Study

Pegah Mirzania (), Da Huo, Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan, Niranjan Panigrahi and Jerry W. Knox
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Pegah Mirzania: Cranfield Centre for Energy Systems and Strategy Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK
Da Huo: Cranfield Centre for Energy Systems and Strategy Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK
Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan: Cranfield Centre for Energy Systems and Strategy Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK
Niranjan Panigrahi: Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK
Jerry W. Knox: Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-32

Abstract: Green hydrogen offers a promising yet underexplored pathway for agricultural decarbonisation, requiring technological readiness and coordinated action from policymakers, industry, and farmers. This paper integrates techno-economic modelling with stakeholder engagement (semi-structured interviews and an expert workshop) to assess its potential. Analyses were conducted for farms of 123 hectares and clusters of 10 farms, complemented by seven interviews and a workshop with nine sector experts. Findings show both opportunities and barriers. While on-farm hydrogen production is technically feasible, it remains economically uncompetitive due to high levelised costs, shaped by seasonal demand variability and low utilisation of electrolysers and storage. Pooling demand across multiple users is essential to improve cost-effectiveness. Stakeholders identified three potential business models: fertiliser production via ammonia synthesis, cooperative-based models, and local refuelling stations. Of these, cooperative hydrogen hubs emerged as the most promising, enabling clusters of farms to jointly invest in renewable-powered electrolysers, storage, and refuelling facilities, thereby reducing costs, extending participation to smaller farms, and mitigating risks through collective investment. By linking techno-economic feasibility with stakeholder perspectives and business model considerations, the results contribute to socio-technical transition theory by showing how technological, institutional, and social factors interact in shaping hydrogen adoption in agriculture. With appropriate policy support, cooperative hubs could lower costs, ease concerns over affordability and complexity, and position hydrogen as a practical driver of agricultural decarbonisation and rural resilience.

Keywords: green hydrogen; agricultural decarbonisation; techno-economic assessment; cooperative business models; net-zero farming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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