Public acceptance of new hydrogen production technologies: A comparative study in Germany

Green hydrogen has significant potential to support the energy transition. However, limited deployment of new hydrogen technologies, means that non-technical, system-level factors may constrain the large-scale implementation of hydrogen systems. Using a survey in Germany (n = 1201), this study examines awareness and social acceptance considerations for two emerging green hydrogen technologies: electrically assisted gasification (eGas); and reversible solid oxide cells (rSOC). The results indicate that the predictors of acceptance are similar across the technologies with Perceived cost, perceived benefits and perceived safety showing the strongest associations with acceptance. However, respondents expressed significantly higher local acceptance for rSOC facilities than for eGas. This suggests that the public's responses to hydrogen are influenced by the characteristics of specific system configurations rather than hydrogen as a generic energy carrier. These findings reinforce the importance of assessing perceived cost, safety and benefits implications when considering technology selection and siting. The study identifies implementation and policy implications for eGas and rSOC systems, which are relevant for technology developers as well as planners and decision-makers who are seeking to support the practical rollout of green hydrogen infrastructure.