Fraunhofer study bundles facts on the use of H2
Meta-analysis shows: Hydrogen is key for sectors that are difficult to electrify - but remains cost-intensive and requires targeted infrastructure expansion
07.04.2026
Source: E & M powernews
Researchers at Fraunhofer ISI have evaluated over 100 fact checks on hydrogen in the H2-Companion project in order to systematically classify fields of application, costs and infrastructure requirements.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (Fraunhofer ISI) in Karlsruhe has published a meta-analysis on hydrogen. According to the institute, the research team evaluated more than 100 national and international fact checks and systematically summarized their results.
The analysis is based on a total of 774 individual statements, which the researchers bundled thematically and condensed into 77 overarching meta-statements. According to Fraunhofer ISI, these cover key topics such as market ramp-up, infrastructure, costs, industrial applications, water requirements and emissions. The institute is making the results available in the form of a report and an interactive application with 77 maps.
Differentiated role for H2
According to the evaluations, hydrogen will play a differentiated role in the future energy system. According to the study, it is particularly relevant in areas where direct electrification is technically or economically difficult to implement. These include the steel and chemical industries in particular, as well as international aviation and shipping.
According to the institute, pilot projects for the hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore demonstrate the technical feasibility, but also highlight the increasing demand for renewable electricity and suitable infrastructure. "Our analyses show that hydrogen can have an enormous impact where there are currently no equivalent alternatives - but also that an uncoordinated development of hydrogen infrastructure would cost valuable resources and time," summarizes Nils Bittner, lead author of the study.
Controlled infrastructure development
The study identifies a key bottleneck in the expansion of infrastructure. According to Fraunhofer ISI, pipelines are the most cost-effective transportation option in the long term, but their construction requires high investment and long-term planning. In contrast, the majority of the sources evaluated do not consider a nationwide supply of hydrogen to households to be necessary or economical.
The researchers also continue to see challenges in terms of costs. According to the analysis, green hydrogen is currently significantly more expensive than fossil alternatives or directly electrifiable applications. Although many of the studies evaluated assume that costs will fall due to economies of scale and technological advances, the economic viability still depends heavily on the respective area of application.
In the mobility sector, the results show a differentiated picture: While hydrogen offers advantages in terms of range and performance due to high energy densities, battery electric drives achieve significantly higher levels of efficiency. Bittner advises a realistic assessment of the potential and a clear prioritization of research and development priorities.
Environmental impact assessed
When it comes to water requirements, the analysis puts common assumptions into perspective. According to Fraunhofer ISI, electrolysis requires around 9 to 10 liters of water per kilogram of hydrogen. The emissions depend heavily on the type of production: green hydrogen from renewable electricity can be produced in an almost climate-neutral way, while gray hydrogen from fossil sources causes around two percent of global CO2 emissions. Blue hydrogen from natural gas with CO2 capture reduces emissions, but is criticized due to residual emissions and possible methane leaks.
Overall, the meta-analysis concludes that hydrogen is neither a universal solution nor a purely niche technology. Rather, according to Fraunhofer ISI, it is a targeted component of the energy transition. It is crucial to use available quantities in the applications with the greatest benefit and to expand the necessary infrastructure, international partnerships and renewable electricity capacities in parallel.
The study was conducted as part of the "H2-Companion" research project. This provides scientific support for the "H2-Wandel" and "H2-GeNeSiS" model regions. The "Green Hydrogen Model Region" funding program of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector is providing over 48 million euros from state funds and the European Regional Development Fund.
The Fraunhofer ISI's H2 fact check is available for download as a PDF.
Author: Susanne Harmsen
