Another Silver Bullet for the Energy Transition? Discourse Network Analysis of German Hydrogen Debate

The role of hydrogen in the process of energy system decarbonization is one of the most discussed topics within energy transition discourse. Recently, interest in hydrogen as a clean technology supporting energy transition resulted in the publishing of hydrogen strategies intended to initiate a market ramp-up. Germany, among the leaders, published its National Hydrogen Strategy, inspiring domestic actors to improve their positions on the promising market. However, at the current stage, the expansion of the hydrogen may be characterized by a high degree of un- certainty due to competition between various technological solutions and the need for cooperation of diverse stakeholders. Such a situation creates a space for a struggle over the future of hydrogen and its place in the current economy. This research is focused on the discursive dimension of the contention and aims to identify and map emerging discourse coalitions through an analysis of actors’ claims presented in media.