Abstract

The efficient deployment of emerging energy technologies that assist in the decarbonisation of the economy are increasingly requiring significant public subsidies and additional regulation. The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have established bespoke frameworks aimed at de-risking the creation of a hydrogen economy, both of which heavily rely on the public administration of tax credits or financial incentives for hydrogen technologies to compete with incumbent energy technologies. In Australia, new models of public subsidies are being developed to create a domestic hydrogen economy that has the potential to export energy internationally. These models differ from the regulatory frameworks established by the EU and the US, and build upon previous models in Australia which promoted the uptake of large scale solar, wind and battery technologies. This paper explores the efficacy of these models of public subsidy and underwriting for hydrogen production technologies, and in turn the possibility of Australia successfully establishing a hydrogen economy.

This paper will be part of the OGEL Special Issue on "Contractual, Legal, and Regulatory Dynamics for Hydrogen Projects and Markets". More information here www.ogel.org/news.asp?key=781