Hydrogen Development in China and the EU: A Recommended Tian Ji's Horse Racing Strategy

Paper: arXiv 2408.08874

Authors: Hong Xu

Abstract

The global momentum towards establishing sustainable energy systems has become increasingly prominent. Hydrogen, as a remarkable carbon-free and renewable energy carrier, has been endorsed by 39 countries at COP28 in the UAE, recognizing its essential role in global energy transition and industry decarbonization. Both the European Union (EU) and China are at the forefront of this shift, developing hydrogen strategies to enhance regional energy security and racing for carbon neutrality commitments by 2050 for the EU and 2060 for China. The wide applications of hydrogen across hard-to-abate sectors and the flexibility of decentralized production and storage offer customized solutions utilizing local resources in a self-paced manner. To unveil the trajectory of hydrogen development in China and the EU, this paper proposes a comparative analysis framework employing key factors to investigate hydrogen developments in both economic powerhouses. Beyond country-wise statistics, it dives into representative hydrogen economic areas in China (Inner Mongolia, Capital Economic Circle, Yangtze River Delta) and Europe (Delta Rhine Corridor) for understanding supply and demand, industrial synergy, and policy incentives for local hydrogen industries. The derived implications offer stakeholders an evolving hydrogen landscape across the Eurasian continent and insights for future policy developments facilitating the global green transition.

Complexity vs Empirical Score

• Math Complexity: 1.0/10
• Empirical Rigor: 3.0/10
• Quadrant: Philosophers — conceptual discussion, limited math and data

Why this score: This paper is a qualitative energy policy analysis comparing hydrogen strategy frameworks between China and the EU. It lacks quantitative financial modeling, mathematical derivations, or rigorous statistical empirical tests, relying instead on descriptive case studies and policy mapping.

Research Flowchart

  flowchart TD
    A[Research Goal: Evaluate & Compare Hydrogen Strategies in EU & China] --> B[Data Inputs: Global Energy Stats, Policy Frameworks & Regional Case Studies]
    B --> C[Comparative Analysis Framework]
    C --> D[Regional Deep Dives: China Regions vs. EU Delta Rhine Corridor]
    D --> E[Process: Supply-Demand Analysis, Industrial Synergy & Policy Incentives]
    E --> F[Outcomes: Tian Ji's Horse Racing Strategy & Policy Insights for Green Transition]