Private-Public Regulation to Kill Two Birds with One Stone? The Deployment of Hydrogen to Increase Energy Security and to Lead the Pathway to Decarbonization

Johanna Kieroth

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Hydrogen is the most abundant element to humankind. When produced from renewable sources of energy, it supports the decarbonization and can be injected into the natural gas grid in support of energy security. Member states of the European Union have established regulatory frameworks for hydrogen whereas no regulatory framework on the European level exists. This thesis analyses and compares the different kinds of public-private regulation in Germany, Austria and Latvia to stipulate a public-private regulatory framework for hydrogen on the European level. Each member state is assessed towards one type of private-public regulation with the support of conditions of success for private-public regulation. The analysis of the three member states stipulates that a European regulatory framework must ensure a level playing field for all public and private actors and clear definitions for terms around hydrogen which are currently developed. Furthermore, a European-wide overview for safety and technical requirements for hydrogen should be established, together with guarantees of origin and support for hydrogen under the new Horizon Europe framework programme. These recommendations support the development of a European regulatory framework which is established to form the middle ground among the regulatory frameworks of the three member states.

Abstract:

Hydrogen is the most abundant element to humankind. When produced from renewable sources of energy, it supports the decarbonization and can be injected into the natural gas grid in support of energy security. Member states of the European Union have established regulatory frameworks for hydrogen whereas no regulatory framework on the European level exists. This thesis analyses and compares the different kinds of public-private regulation in Germany, Austria and Latvia to stipulate a public-private regulatory framework for hydrogen on the European level. Each member state is assessed towards one type of private-public regulation with the support of conditions of success for private-public regulation. The analysis of the three member states stipulates that a European regulatory framework must ensure a level playing field for all public and private actors and clear definitions for terms around hydrogen which are currently developed. Furthermore, a European-wide overview for safety and technical requirements for hydrogen should be established, together with guarantees of origin and support for hydrogen under the new Horizon Europe framework programme. These recommendations support the development of a European regulatory framework which is established to form the middle ground among the regulatory frameworks of the three member states.

Keywords

hydrogen, sector coupling, private-public regulation, self-regulation, regulatory framework

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 11. 10. 2019

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 7. 2019
• Supervisor: Dr. Salvatore Nicolosi
• Reader: doc. Mgr. Filip Černoch, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / European Governance