Source-to-sink efficiency of blue and green district heating and hydrogen-based heat supply systems

While hydrogen has a role to play to decarbonize sectors, its role in building heating demands is doubtful, as mature and more energy-efficient alternatives exist. The paper shows that a natural gas-based district heating could be 267% more efficient, and consequently have significantly lower global warming potential, than a blue hydrogen-based heat supply. A renewable power-based district heating could achieve above 440% higher efficiency than green hydrogen-based heat supply system.

Authors: O. Gudmundsson, J. E. Thorsen (Danfoss)