Hydrogen Fuel in Sweden, a Comparative Study of Five Countries

Abstract: Under the shadow of the climate change dilemma and its consequence for the human’s future, the need for secured and stable energy sources is vital. Academia, political leaders, and influential business actors play a key role to introduce schemes to facilitate the adaptation of new technologies and energy systems improvement. Hydrogen as an energy carrier is one of the solutions to tackle environmental concerns in recent decades. However, hydrogen technology needs constant development to reduce its cost and to find production methods by which fossil fuels can be replaced by clean hydrogen. In this study, five different countries in terms of hydrogen technology introduction, their National Strategy on Hydrogen, influential variables on hydrogen application have been investigated. Along with a comparison between five countries, the differences in policies and political incentives and their effect on hydrogen applications have been studied. Policy incentives work differently according to the various cultural norms. In some countries such as Japan financial incentives work better but in some such as Sweden non-financial incentives work well. Along with policy introduction, collaboration between policy, industry, and academia contribute to the successful introduction, diffusion, and application of new technologies. Regarding hydrogen technology in Sweden, introduction of National Strategy on Hydrogen, a shift from hydrogen application in industry to transport section, and giving less priority to biogas and more to hydrogen fuel, applying suitable policy incentives can be helpful for Sweden to act faster and benefit more from hydrogen.