7. Conclusions – Outlook

Hydrogen will continue to play an important role in the refining and chemical industries. Because of its non-polluting combustion, some also see hydrogen as an energy carrier of the future, provided that its production itself is non-polluting.

The industry's expectations therefore focus first and foremost on clean, economically viable production. Hydrogen storage and distribution are two key points in the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Similarly, while the problems of hydrogen safety in this industrial context are well known and mastered, the future use of hydrogen for energy purposes in transport or cogeneration raises new safety issues that need to be taken into account.

To date, most industrialized countries have included hydrogen in their sustainable development plans. Some are devoting more resources than others, for political,...