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By the Institute for Methods Innovation team

 

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are increasingly seen as pivotal in transitioning to a sustainable and decarbonised energy future. But what do Europeans actually think about hydrogen energy and how it works? To find out, the Institute for Methods Innovation completed a state-of-the-art analysis of public perceptions and reactions to hydrogen energy in several European Union countries as part of the HYPOP project. The results showed general public support for hydrogen energy, but also a significant lack of understanding about how these technologies actually work. This points to a need to bridge the knowledge gap through region-specific public engagement, for instance, by highlighting national hydrogen success stories.

 

The research team took two approaches to determining the general attitude toward hydrogen energy across Europe. First, a literature review examined key findings from a wide range of existing studies on the public perceptions of hydrogen technology in the EU27 countries. This involved using Google Scholar to find relevant studies, focusing on those articles that included survey data regarding public opinions on hydrogen technologies. A total of 153 related studies were screened, and 28 were selected for analysis.

 

The team also did a secondary analysis of the data from an important previous survey – the Public Opinion Survey on Hydrogen Awareness (Gallup International, 2023). This survey involved a representative sample of 25,934 citizens aged 15 and above from all EU Member States. Both the literature review and the secondary analysis of public opinion data yielded similar observations.

 

Conditional support for hydrogen energy

The literature review revealed varying degrees of societal acceptance, influenced by regional specifics and overarching cultural predispositions. For example, in Germany, while there is high public approval for hydrogen, local projects like hydrogen pipelines face resistance due to the “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon. Similar challenges are observed in Denmark and Poland, where enthusiasm for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and other applications is tempered by cost, infrastructure, and safety concerns.

 

Across Europe, there is general positivity towards hydrogen technology, chiefly driven by environmental concerns and trust in scientific advancements. However, this support does not correlate with any real, deep understanding of the technology. There are also notable gender and age disparities in familiarity with hydrogen energy. Men generally report greater knowledge about hydrogen energy, and younger respondents tend to be more supportive of hydrogen technologies.

 

The literature review indicates that while there is foundational support for hydrogen technology, this support is conditional. Effective public engagement will have to address remaining safety concerns and infrastructural, jurisdictional, and logistical challenges (especially in residential areas) to combat the NIMBY phenomenon and to enhance understanding.

 

Broad awareness, limited understanding of hydrogen energy

The secondary analysis confirmed a broad awareness but limited in-depth understanding. Around 80% of people said they are aware of hydrogen energy, but only 27% said they are familiar with the technology (Figure 1). Most respondents viewed hydrogen as a good solution for reducing energy dependence, but support varied by country, with Portugal, Italy, and Poland showing the highest levels of agreement.

 

 

Figure 1. Technology awareness of hydrogen energy in the EU

 

Hydrogen is also widely perceived as a sustainable energy source (Figure 2), with some variation by country and gender. Skepticism about safety still persists, particularly in some EU13 countries such as Czechia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. This is significant since public perceptions of safety are crucial for broader acceptance. There is a near consensus that hydrogen is less polluting than fossil fuels. However, some skepticism persists, particularly in countries with lower trust in new technologies.

 

Figure 2. Levels of agreement, per country, about hydrogen as a sustainable energy source

 

Better public engagement

The literature review and secondary analysis underscore the importance of enhancing public knowledge and addressing safety and infrastructural concerns to improve the acceptance of hydrogen technologies. It is clear from the results that enhancing public acceptance and support requires a multifaceted approach. Key strategies should include:

 

  1. Accessible, region-specific information dissemination. Providing clear and accessible information about hydrogen technology, its benefits, and safety is crucial. Educational campaigns should target diverse demographics, addressing region-specific concerns and knowledge gaps in order to deepen understanding and address misconceptions/concerns.

 

  1. Trust-building communication. Building trust through transparent communication and involving government institutions and the scientific community,  will be essential. Public engagement should emphasise the environmental advantages of hydrogen technology while addressing practical and safety issues. Leveraging local success stories, national events, policy announcements, and industry developments can make a big difference.

 

  1. Addressing infrastructural concerns. Public hesitations about hydrogen infrastructure, particularly in residential areas, need to be addressed through inclusive planning processes and community engagement. Here, too, showcasing success stories and case studies will be important to convert general awareness into well-informed support.

 

  1. Gender and age inclusion. Efforts should be made to increase the inclusion of women and younger people (learners and students) in discussions about hydrogen technology, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered.

 

In short, the report provides a comprehensive overview of public perceptions about hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Europe. It shows that while there is broad support for hydrogen technology, enhancing public acceptance requires addressing knowledge gaps, safety concerns, and infrastructural challenges through effective public engagement. By fostering a well-informed and supportive public, hydrogen technology can play a crucial role in Europe’s green energy transition and decarbonization efforts.

 

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