Development and environmental impact of hydrogen supply chain in Japan: Assessment by the CGE-LCA method in Japan with a discussion of the importance of biohydrogen

Baseline results reveal that the positive impacts on hydrogen application sectors (HFCV, HFC and HFS) are greater than hydrogen generation sectors (biohydrogen, steam reforming and electrolysis). Sensitivity analysis reveals that HFCV, HFC and biohydrogen are the three industries that are most sensitive to technology advance. Hydrogen-related industries will play a more important role if Japan shut down nuclear power plants or to meet the CO2 mitigation target in response to the conclusions of COP 19. Biohydrogen has the potential gradually to become a major hydrogen-generating technology for future development of green economy.