Economic modeling of hydrogen production technologies, transport, and States strategies

This thesis focuses on a global economic and strategic thinking of the deployment of hydrogen at the global level. It has 3 parts. First, it will study the diffusion of technologies and the deployment of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen at the global level by 2050. To do so, a modeling of prospective scenarios of hydrogen penetration in the world energy mix will be carried out using the TIAM-IFPEN model. These scenarios  will give the opportunity to estimate the level of development of hydrogen production sectors and their sectorial uses, but also to map the various regional actors. In parallel, and in strong interaction with the previous modelling exercise, we will study the development of the world hydrogen market by modeling an international transport system, considering the different inter-regional hydrogen transport options. This part will highlight the trade routes that could be developed as well as the main importing and exporting countries in this global hydrogen market. On these two points, the thesis also aims at studying the geopolitical consequences of the deployment of a global hydrogen market. A typology of the different strategies of the actors and their consequences on the energy security of the States, their future dependences, and the understanding of the formation of the hydrogen prices will be thus realized. To obtain a more complete picture of the consequences of the development of hydrogen at the global level, the thesis will also study the consumption of materials related to the various hydrogen production technologies. This part will highlight the geological risks associated to the consumption of materials contained in hydrogen technologies.

Keywords: modelling, hydrogen, energy markets, geopolitics

• Academic supervisor    Professeur, MIGNON Valérie, Economix, University of Paris-Nanterre
• Doctoral School    Économie, Organisations, Société, https://ed-eos.parisnanterre.fr/ 
• IFPEN supervisor    Dr, HDR, HACHE Emmanuel, Economist-Foresight, Economics and Environmental Evaluation Department, emmanuel.hache@ifpen.fr, https://www.ifpenergiesnouvelles.fr/page/emmanuel-hache
• PhD location    IFP Énergies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France
• Duration and start date    3 years, starting in fourth quarter 2023
• Employer    IFP Énergies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France
• Academic requirements    MSc degree in Energy Economics, Econometrics or Energy modelling
• Language requirements    Fluency in English, French or willingness to learn French
• Other requirements    Knowledge in Econometric and/or modelling