Hydrogen strategy as an energy transition and economic transformation avenue for natural gas exporting countries: Qatar as a case study

In the wake of the apparent impacts of climate change, the world is searching for clean energy transformations and a consequent transition to a carbon-neutral economy and life. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources introduces several risks, and efficient energy storage technologies are developed to circumvent such issues. However, these storage methods also come with additional costs and uncertainties. Hydrogen is considered a viable option as an energy carrier and storage medium, offering versatility to the energy mix. This study reviews hydrogen production, storage, transmission, and applications avenues, describes the current global hydrogen market and compares national hydrogen strategies. A framework for evaluating the relative competitiveness of natural gas-exporting countries as hydrogen exporters is developed. Qatar's national hydrogen strategy should focus on blue and turquoise hydrogen production in the short/medium term with a mix of green hydrogen in the future term and investment in technological research and development to compete with other gas exporters that have abundant renewable energy potential.