Hydrogen is in the spotlight in the energy world, and it will remain so. In Europe, the necessity to integrate ever-growing amounts of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in order to implement the ambitious European decarbonization policy (package Fit-for-55) and to preserve the security of energy supply (package Repower-EU) are feeding the interest in hydrogen. This paper will provide a thorough analysis of prospects and criticalities for the development of hydrogen both as a carrier and as a feedstock and, definitively, as a key element for the implementation of the European decarbonization policies. First, the present regulatory framework will be highlighted, taking the European Union as a main reference, since it presently has one of the most advanced hydrogen legislations in the world. Then, both hydrogen offer (technologies) and demand (both as a feedstock and as an energy carrier) will be dealt with in detail. Two additional sections will take care to illustrate, respectively, the interactions between hydrogen and the electricity grid and the issues related to the creation of a liquid hydrogen market. Finally, a conclusion section will wrap up and summarize the most urgent issues to be tackled to create a well-functioning hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen is in the spotlight in the energy world, and it will remain so for the next years. In Europe, the necessity to integrate ever growing amounts of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in order to implement the ambitious European decarbonization policy (package Fit-for-55) and to preserve the security of energy supply (package Repower-EU) are feeding the interest in hydrogen. The paper will provide a thorough analysis of prospects and criticalities for the development of hydrogen both as a carrier and as a feedstock and, in definitive, as a key element for the implementation of the European decarbonization policies. First, the present regulatory framework will be highlighted, taking European Union as a main reference since it has presently one of the most advanced hy-drogen legislations in the world. Then, both hydrogen offer (technologies and) and demand (both as a feedstock and as an energy carrier) will be dealt with in detail. Two additional sections will take care to illustrate, respectively, the interactions between hydrogen and the electricity grid and the issues related to the creation of a liquid hydrogen market. Finally, a conclusion section will wrap up and summarize the most urgent issues to be tackled to create a well-functioning hydrogen economy.

European and national maritime regulations, aimed at promoting navigation powered by alternative fuels, highlight the need to explore the adoption of various alternative fuel options for maritime transport. This assessment should consider both technical and practical aspects, particularly for freight and passenger services, within the national context in which the sector operates. This document provides a detailed analysis of what is available on the market and the expected results between 2030 and 2050 for the conversion of routes using alternative fuel vessels, both in terms of investment and operational costs. Assessments of vessel fuelling needs were conducted, identifying the potential of different fuels on several key Italian routes, reconstructing their technical characteristics and considering the uncertainty associated with potential changes in fuelling costs (over the life of the vessels) and technological progress.