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Global hydrogen demand reached 97m tons in 2023, and could reach up to 100 m tons in 2024, with most production coming from unabated fossil fuels (grey hydrogen) which primarily served as feedstock for the refining and chemical sectors. While low-emission hydrogen played a minimal role at less than 1m tons in 2023, it could reach 49m tons a year by 2030 through projects that have already been announced1.
Hydrogen as an energy source contributes to enhancing grid flexibility, complementing solutions such as batteries and acting as an energy storage medium. This makes hydrogen essential for balancing supply and demand, particularly as more renewable energy sources like wind and solar are integrated.
The emergence of blue hydrogen (with carbon capture and storage) and green hydrogen (using renewable electricity) represents a pathway to decarbonizing power generation at scale, and although most current production relies on fossil fuels, investment in clean hydrogen projects is accelerating. This shift is driven by decreasing renewable energy costs, improving electrolyzer technology, and strengthening government support through national hydrogen strategies and funding commitments.
The transition to clean hydrogen does face several hurdles:
While energy efficiency, electrification and renewables can achieve 70 percent of the mitigation needed to reach net zero by 20504, hydrogen-based integrated solutions across four key areas will be needed to decarbonize end uses where other options are less mature or more costly, such as the production of derivatives, heavy industry, long-haul transport and energy storage.
ABB's portfolio addresses the above challenges through integrated automation, electrification, rectifiers, and digital technologies powering the hydrogen value chain as demonstrated in several groundbreaking projects. Our digital solutions for sustainability ensure accurate control and optimization throughout the production process, while comprehensive instrumentation and analyzer solutions support operations from electrolysis to final verification of hydrogen purity. The company is also supporting hydrogen transport applications through marine fuel cell technology, as well as advanced traction converters and battery systems.
The HyPilot project at Norway's Kårstø facility showcases ABB's power supply technologies for containerized electrolyzers.
The FLIRT H2 rail is the first hydrogen-powered train in the United States. Power is sent on to the drivetrain where ABB supplies the traction converter, a DC/DC converter, three BORDLINE® ESS 28kWh battery packages, and a battery thermal management system. The fuel cell / battery combination stores enough energy to operate the train over 285 miles daily.
ABB will also support the construction of Danish company Topsoe’s Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells factory in the US (pending a financial investment decision) by providing electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. Delivering ABB’s automation and electrical expertise as part of this alliance, we support the scaling of technology to enable a net-zero future.
ABB has been responsible for the power system integration and power management onboard Zulu 06, Groupe SOGESTRAN’s new low-emission, fuel cell powered barge, built to serve on the river Seine. For inner-city transportation, the use of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries to power vessels can contribute to significant reduction of local emissions.
We have also signed an agreement with Hynamics, the hydrogen subsidiary of EDF group, to integrate the ABB Ability™ OPTIMAX® energy management system to optimize hydrogen production costs. The system is deployed at Hynamics’ low carbon hydrogen production and distribution station in Auxerre, France. The 1 MW hydrogen station will supply buses and light commercial vehicles.
PESA, in collaboration with ABB, unveiled Poland's first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive, marking a significant step toward sustainable rail transport. This prototype features a 4-axle configuration where ABB supplied the traction converter and the LTO battery system. Hydrogen stored in 175 kg tanks is converted into electricity via two 85 kW fuel cells, which then charges the batteries to power the electric motors, resulting in zero CO₂ emissions.
ABB will deliver a comprehensive power distribution system for two newbuild hydrogen-fueled short-sea container ships of the global logistics company Samskip Group headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India, the 135-meter ships will operate between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam, a distance of approximately 700 nautical miles.
The Lhyfe/Skyborn collaboration represents one of Europe's largest renewable hydrogen projects. Powered by Skyborn’s planned offshore wind farm, the plant in Söderhamn, Sweden, will produce around 240 tons of hydrogen per day, equivalent of around 1.8 million barrels of oil per annum
ABB will provide electrical engineering support for the H2 Energy Esbjerg hydrogen production facility in Denmark. The 1 GW plant will produce 90,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, the equivalent of about 1.9 million barrels of oil per year. The output will support the decarbonization of heavy industry and road transportation.
Hydrogen is gaining momentum, driven by technological innovation and the urgent need for decarbonization. While challenges remain, particularly in cost and infrastructure development, continued advancement in automation, electrification, and digital solutions is accelerating adoption and building confidence for those investing in a cleaner future.
As the technology matures and scales, blue and green hydrogen will play an increasingly vital role in achieving global climate goals, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. Success requires collaboration across industry, supported by proven technology partners who can optimize the entire value chain from production to end use.
Footnotes