National Hydrogen Strategies and Their Role on the Design of Clean Hydrogen Supply Chains

Abstract

The transition to a sustainable energy system depends on the development of efficient hydrogen supply chains (HSCs) capable of meeting the rising demand for clean hydrogen. National hydrogen strategies play a pivotal role in shaping these supply chains by defining technological pathways, regulatory frameworks, and market incentives. This study analyses the strategies of seven leading countries – Australia, Germany, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France – to identify the key elements influencing HSC design. A systematic literature review complements the policy analysis by linking these elements to academic perspectives in business and management research. The findings reveal that countries adopt distinct strategic positions based on their resource endowments, industrial capabilities, and geopolitical goals, resulting in varied configurations of hydrogen supply systems. The study also identifies common global drivers and barriers, including cost challenges, infrastructure gaps, and policy alignment. Based on these insights, we propose a conceptual framework that connects national strategic positioning to supply chain design and outline a typology of HSC configurations across country roles. This research contributes to the understanding of hydrogen strategy implementation and offers a research agenda to guide future studies in hydrogen supply chain management and policy design within the global energy transition.