Clean Hydrogen Ladder

Version 5.0

19 October 2023
For more information
on the decisions behind
the Ladder, please read
Michael Liebreich the launch document
Founder and CEO
Liebreich Associates
Hydrogen Ladder 5.0
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

1 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – Promotions (3)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

2 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – Demotions (7)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

3 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – Wording changes (5)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

4 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – Use cases combined (5 to 2)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

5 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – New or partially new uses (4)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

6 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 5.0 – Unchanged (18)
Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other
Unavoidable

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Jet Aviation** Chemical Feedstock Steel Long Duration Grid Balancing

C Coastal and river vessels Non-Road Mobile Machinery Vintage and Muscle Cars** Biogas Upgrading

D Long Distance Trucks and Coaches High-Temperature Industrial Heat Generators

E Regional Trucks Commercial Heating*** Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing

F Light Aviation Remote and Rural Trains Local Ferries Light trucks Bulk Power Imports UPS

Metro Trains and Buses Urban Delivery and Taxis 2 and 3-Wheelers Cars Bulk e-Fuels
G
Mid/Low-Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating Power Generation Using Non-Stored Hydrogen

Uncompetitive Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,

*As ammonia or methanol **As e-fuel or PBTL ***As hybrid system Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 4.0

7 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

 Clean Hydrogen Swiss Army Knife
Chemicals Desulphurisation Local Ferries Light Aviation
Aviation
& Processes Fertiliser Bulk e-Fuels Shipping Aviation (jet fuel)
& Shipping
Steel Biogas Upgrading Hydrocracking Coastal and River Vessels
Chemical Feedstock Methanol

Hydrogenation
Power Cars Light Trucks
System Regional Trucks 2 and 3-Wheelers
Long Duration Grid Balancing
Rural Trains Remote and Rural Trains
Generators Bulk Power Imports
Urban Delivery and Taxis Vintage and Muscle Cars
Island Grids Short Duration Grid Balancing
Long Distance Trucks and Coaches
Power Generation from Non-stored Hydrogen
Non-Road Mobile Machinery
UPS
High-Temperature Industrial Heat Metro Trains and Buses
Land
Mid/Low Temperature Industrial Heat Domestic Heating
Transportation
Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,
Commercial Heating
Heat Version 5.0, 2023.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. Image:
Wenger (concept credit: Paul Martin). CC-BY 4.0

8 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Hydrogen Ladder 4.1 – For reference
Unavoidable Key: No real alternative Electricity/batteries Biomass/biogas Other

A Fertiliser Hydrogenation Methanol Hydrocracking Desulphurisation

B Shipping* Non-Road Mobile Machinery Chemical feedstock Steel Long duration storage

C Long-haul aviation* Remote trains Coastal and river vessels Vintage vehicles* Local CO2 remediation

D Medium-haul aviation* Long distance trucks and coaches High-temperature industrial heat Generators

E Short-haul aviation Local ferries Commercial heating Island grids Clean power imports UPS

F Light aviation Rural trains Regional trucks Mid/Low-temperature industrial heat Domestic heating

G Metro trains and buses H2FC Cars Urban delivery 2 and 3-wheelers Bulk e-fuels Power system balancing

Uncompetitive
Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder,
* Most likely via ammonia or e-fuel rather than H2 gas or liquid Version 4.1, 2021.Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. CC-BY 3.0

9 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Versions

4.1: Added Generators; renamed Off-Grid Vehicles as Non-Road Moving Machinery

4.1a: Standardised the Source line; Clarified Terms and Conditions of Use and add an approved-format
credit
5.0: Significant update: promotions (3); demotions (7); wording changes (5); use cases combined (5
into 2); new or partially new use cases (4); entirely unchanged (18); changed wording or combined,
but unchanged row (5). Read the launch document for details.

Source: Liebreich Associates

10 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich

Terms and conditions of use
The Clean Hydrogen Ladder is the copyright of Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates Limited. We are releasing these charts (but not any
accompanying article or presentation) under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY 3.0), which means that you
are free to reproduce, use or modify these charts. If you make modifications, you must indicate which part or parts you have changed, not pass off
the resulting ladder as the work of Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates Limited. Please include a credit on each page or image in the following
format (including the links):

Source: Michael Liebreich/Liebreich Associates, Clean Hydrogen Ladder, Version 5.0, 2023.
Concept credit: Adrian Hiel, Energy Cities. As translated by [xxx xxx]; as modified by [xxx xxx]. CC-BY 4.0

To view a copy of the relevant Creative Commons license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

Disclaimer
The information represented in the Clean Hydrogen Ladder reflects the best judgement of Michael Liebreich based on decades of work on the
technologies, policies, economics and human behaviors associated with the energy, transportation and related sectors. He will, most likely, from
time to time update the Clean Hydrogen Ladder based on emerging information or changes in his views. Neither Michael Liebreich nor Liebreich
Associates guarantees to update the ladder, nor do we guarantee its accuracy or completeness, and nothing in this document shall be construed to
be a representation of such a guarantee.

Neither Michael Liebreich nor Liebreich Associates accept responsibility for any liability arising from use of this document or its contents. Nothing
herein shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments, or as investment advice or recommendations, whether by Michael
Liebreich or Liebreich Associates, of an investment strategy of any sort.

11 19 October 2023 Clean Hydrogen Ladder – Version 5.0 @MLCleaningUp @mliebreich