Abstract for: A National Institutional Arrangement for Green Hydrogen Production: Understanding it from a Systems Perspective

Governments and leading institutions are considering green hydrogen (gH2) as one of the most optimistic sources of zero-emission energy. However, due to the inherent challenges, the initiation and progress of the projects have not been there as expected. This research attempts to address the question that despite all the adversities, how a national institutional arrangement is expected to effectively support the concept, projects and production of gH2 for the long run. A systems thinking approach was utilised to capture the national institutional arrangement with the underlying assumptions in the gH2 energy transition plan laid down by the government of the Sultanate of Oman. A causal feedback loop (FBL) model has been developed to portray the processes and assumptions indicated in the national gH2 documents. Data from a series of interviews with almost 12 different officials and experts in the Sultanate were also utilised to develop the FBL model. So far, the initial framework of the FBL model has been developed. It portrays the strategic approach the government has taken to implement the projects and production of gH2 for the market inside and outside the country. The aim of the FBL model is to make the policies, processes and assumptions in the strategic plan explicit. The concept, vision, projects, production and delivery of GH2 as a product in the market have been captured with their processes and feedback loops. The conceptual model will be further utilised to develop a full set of simulation model mainly to demonstrate the implications of policy measures under different levels of risks and uncertainties.