Strategic raw material requirements for large-scale hydrogen production in Portugal and European Union

Global attention is being given to hydrogen as it is seen as a versatile energy carrier and a flexible energy vector in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Hydrogen production/storage/conveyance is metal intensive, and it is crucial to understand if there is material availability to fulfil the committed plans. Using the material intensity of electrolysers, pipelines, and desalinators, along with the projected Portuguese and European Union roadmaps, we are able to identify possible bottlenecks in the supply chains. The availability of the vast majority of raw materials does not represent a threat to hydrogen technologies implementation, with electrolysers requiring almost up to 3 Mt of raw materials and pipelines up to 2.5 Mt. The evident exception is iridium, although representing less than 0.001 % of the material requirements it may hinder the widespread implementation of proton exchange membrane electrolysers. Desalinators have the least material footprint of the studied infrastructure. • Hydrogen is key in transition pathways to low-carbon economy models. • Iridium material intensity in PEMEL may act as a bottleneck for its widespread use. • It is crucial to reduce material intensity and develop recycling strategies. • Electrolysers and pipelines are the main material sinks for the hydrogen economy.