How Hydrogen Could Fuel a Net-Zero Future
January 4, 2024

How Hydrogen Could Fuel a Net-Zero Future


Hydrogen has a 300% higher energy content than gasoline, is harnessed by our sun to create life-giving heat and light, and when used in fuel cells, the only ‘waste’ it produces is water. 


So it’s no surprise that policymakers are looking closely at the fuel in the race to net zero. But with demand set to skyrocket between now and 2050, will the supply be there when needed?


To answer that question, we’ve partnered with Fasken to look at how hydrogen could fuel a net-zero future.


The State of Hydrogen


According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global hydrogen production capacity in 2022 was 95 million metric tons per annum (Mt p.a.), concentrated in industry and refining. 



Under the IEA’s net-zero scenario, which limits average temperature increase to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels, annual production will need to increase over 350% by 2050, to 430 Mt p.a.


End use 2022 2030 2035 2050
Refining 42 Mt p.a. 35 Mt p.a. 26 Mt p.a. 10 Mt p.a.
Industry 53 Mt p.a. 71 Mt p.a. 92 Mt p.a. 139 Mt p.a.
Transport - 16 Mt p.a. 40 Mt p.a. 193 Mt p.a.
Power generation - 22 Mt p.a. 48 Mt p.a. 74 Mt p.a.
Other - 6 Mt p.a. 10 Mt p.a. 14 Mt p.a.
Total 95 Mt p.a. 150 Mt p.a. 216 Mt p.a. 430 Mt p.a.

Hydrogen has a critical role to play in hard-to-abate sectors, where there aren’t many technologically mature alternatives.

In the shipping industry, for example, hydrogen could replace conventional bunker fuels. Similarly, in commercial aviation, it could displace the 1.5 million barrels of jet fuel used every day in the United States.


Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink


Hydrogen may be the most abundant element in the universe, but it only exists as a gas on Earth in minute quantities, so has to be separated from other compounds, like water. And that takes energy, which can be low- or high-emission, depending on the fuel source. 


There is a veritable rainbow of colors to differentiate hydrogen by how its made, but to keep things simple here are the three main ones:

  • Gray: Produced using steam or gasification from unabated fossil fuels
  • Blue: Produced using steam or gasification from unabated fossil fuels with carbon capture
  • Green: Electrolysis powered by renewables


Color 2022 2030 2035 2050
Low-emission production Green + blue hydrogen 1.1% 46.0% 69.8% 96.7%
Unabated fossil-fuel production Gray hydrogen 98.9% 54.0% 30.2% 3.3%

In 2022, low-emission hydrogen production (blue + green) made up only 1.1%, which, under the IEA’s net-zero scenario, will need to increase steeply to 96.7% in 2050.


Project Pipeline and Pipeline Projects


So how close are we to 430 Mt p.a.?


According to the IEA’s Hydrogen Production and Infrastructure Projects Database, there was 95.0 Mt p.a. in production capacity in 2022. Looking ahead to planned projects by their online date, we see that a small gap opens up after 2035, before widening into a 200 Mt p.a. chasm by 2050. 



More announcements are likely to come as the 2050 deadline comes more and more into focus, but sustained policy support will be crucial to meeting that goal.


2022 2030 2035 2050
Planned capacity 95 Mt p.a. 185 Mt p.a. 196 Mt p.a. 203 Mt p.a.
Target 95 Mt p.a. 150 Mt p.a. 216 Mt p.a. 430 Mt p.a.
Variance (+ / -) - +35 Mt p.a. -20 Mt p.a. -227 Mt p.a.

However, even once all that capacity comes online, there’s still the matter of getting it from where it’s made, to where it will be used. And part of that puzzle will be pipelines, which need to go from 5,000 km in 2022, to over 200,000 km in 2050. 


A Stellar Future for Hydrogen


But momentum is growing.


The second-largest refueling port in Europe, Antwerp-Bruges, has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, with hydrogen playing a key role. Similarly, a recent study of Canada’s oil sands, found that hydrogen could save 1.5T cu. ft. of natural gas per year, between 2021 and 2050, resulting in 76% fewer CO2 emissions.


Ultimately, the stuff of stars could have a stellar future.


Copyright © 2023 Visual Capitalist

VVC Appoints New President & Grants Options

March 18, 2025
TORONTO, March 18, 2025 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources, (“VVC”), (TSX-V:VVC and OTCQC:VVCVF) announces the following: Appointment of Officers The Directors appointed Mr. Bill Kerrigan as President and Chief Operating Officer of VVC. Mr. Kerrigan will continue to be President of Plateau Helium Corporation. Mr. James A. Culver will remain as CEO of VVC. VVC Chairman, Terrence Martell, commented, "As a representative of Management and the Board, I extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Culver for his years of service as President. I also welcome Mr. Kerrigan to his new role as President and I am confident that he will provide positive momentum for VVC." Option Grant The Directors also granted incentive stock options under its stock option plan, to officers, directors and consultants of the Company, to purchase up to an aggregate of 15,700,000 common shares, representing 2.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of CA$0.05 per share expiring March 17, 2035. 25% of the options granted will vest immediately with the remaining vesting at 25% every six months. The exercise price was fixed at the minimum allowable price by the TSX Venture Exchange policies. The options, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Company's stock option plan, are subject to the TSX Venture Exchange policies and the applicable securities laws. Of the Options granted, 41.1% were to Directors, 30.3% to Officers and 28.7% to Employees/Consultants of the Company. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Copper & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Results of VVC Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

December 5, 2024
The Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (“AGM”) took place virtually yesterday with 34 attendees (shareholders and guests). Total attendance in person and by proxy was 137 shareholders representing about 51.4% of the outstanding shares. At the AGM, shareholders approved the election of all Directors proposed by Management with over 90% of the tendered votes being in favor, and the re-appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company with all of the tendered votes being in favor.
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