December 13, 2023 • 3 min read
Pioneering green hydrogen: Oman’s journey from vision to reality
Article extracted from Energy Oman Magazine for the Green Hydrogen Summit Oman 2023.
The From Ambition to Reality (FATR) 3 paper by Worley and Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment serves as a comprehensive guide for stakeholders in the energy sector, outlining the need for radical, but responsible shifts that are going to be necessary to accelerate the transition to a net zero future. The paper specifically examines the renewable hydrogen value chain, providing actionable insights and a robust framework to expedite the pace and scale of infrastructure delivery.
Barriers to achieving net zero ambitions
Oman stands as a frontrunner in the rapid development of a green hydrogen industry, showcasing a progressive approach to fostering a sustainable energy future. However, to fully realize the potential of hydrogen in Oman and beyond, it is imperative to address and overcome existing barriers. The FATR 3 paper categorizes these barriers into three domains: Certainty, Acceptance, and Productivity.
Certainty
Addressing the risk of investment is crucial. Stakeholders need assurance and clarity to make informed decisions and commit to long-term investments in green hydrogen.
Acceptance
Building an acceptable social, commercial, and political contract is vital. This ensures that all parties involved, from local communities to global investors, are on board and supportive of the hydrogen transition.
Productivity
Enhancing the pace of deployment to meet the urgent demands of climate action and energy transition is non-negotiable. The industry must operate efficiently and effectively to achieve the ambitious goals set forth.
Figure 1: High-level summary of stakeholder perceptions of risk and uncertainties that might constrain the achievement of 2030 clean hydrogen ambitions.
Applying the FATR shifts
In the paper, Worley explored the role of the FATR shifts, namely broadening value, enabling options, standardization, creating partnerships, and the digital accelerant, in overcoming the risks and threats described in Figure 1 by mapping each to a FATR shift (or shifts) that could help overcome them. The results are shown below in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Mapping of the outcomes sought in Figure 1 across Certainty, Acceptance and Productivity, to the five key shifts.
Oman’s role and the path forward
Oman’s advanced stance in the green hydrogen sector sets a strong foundation for future developments. However, there is a collective responsibility to push the boundaries and continuously innovate to overcome infrastructure development barriers.
As co-author of the FATR3 paper, Dr Kerry-Ann Adamson, Global Strategic Advisor for Hydrogen at Worley, aptly puts it:
Oman has laid the groundwork for a thriving green hydrogen industry. Now, it is time to join forces, collaborate, share knowledge, and drive forward to turn our visions and ambitions into a tangible reality, not just for Oman but for the region and for the next generation which need to engineer the energy transition.
From ambitions to actions
As we transition to a new era in energy, the journey from ambition to reality requires not just vision, but actionable steps and unwavering commitment. The FATR3 paper lays out a comprehensive roadmap, highlighting the critical shifts needed to accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen and achieve our net-zero ambitions.
In Oman, we have a unique opportunity to lead this transition, leveraging our advanced approach and commitment to sustainable energy. The FATR shifts provide a strategic framework to overcome the barriers of Certainty, Acceptance, and Productivity.
By embracing these shifts, we can compress project schedules by up to 40%, driving efficiency and expediting our progress. This is not just a call to action; it is a call to partnership. Our success hinges on collaboration, and together, we can turn our collective ambitions into tangible results.
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