Discourse Network Analysis of German Hydrogen Debate

FACULTY OF SOCIAL STUDIES Another Silver Bullet for the Energy Transition? Discourse Network Analysis of German Hydrogen Debate. Master’s Thesis ARINA BELOVA Supervisor: Mgr. Lukáš Lehotský, Ph.D. DepartMent of International Relations and European Studies Energy Policy Studies Brno 2020/2021 1 ANOTHER SILVER BULLET FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION? DISCOURSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF GERMAN HYDROGEN DEBATE. Bibliographic Record Author: Arina Belova Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University Department of International Relations and European Studies Title of Thesis: Another Silver Bullet for the Energy Transition? Discourse Network Analysis of German Hydrogen Debate. Degree Programme: Energy Policy Studies Supervisor: Mgr. Luká š Lehotský , Ph.D. Academic Year: 2020/2021 Number of Pages: 70 Keywords: Hydrogen, Low-carbon economy, Energy transition, Discourse network, Germany 1 ANOTHER SILVER BULLET FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION? DISCOURSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF GERMAN HYDROGEN DEBATE. Abstract The role of hydrogen in the process of energy system decarbonization is one of the most discussed topics within energy transition discourse. Re- cently, 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 uncertainty 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 thesis 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. 2 ANOTHER SILVER BULLET FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION? DISCOURSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF GERMAN HYDROGEN DEBATE. Statutory Declaration I hereby declare that I have written the submitted [select type of docu- ment] concerning the topic of Another Silver Bullet for the Energy Transition? Discourse Network Analysis of German Hydrogen De- bate. independently. All the sources used for the purpose of finishing this thesis have been adequately referenced and are listed in the Biblio- graphy. In Brno 30th May 2021 ....................................... Arina Belova 1 ANOTHER SILVER BULLET FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION? DISCOURSE NETWORK ANALYSIS OF GERMAN HYDROGEN DEBATE. Acknowledgements Foremost, I would like to express my very great appreciation to my supervisor Mgr. Lukáš Lehotský, Ph.D., for his patience, encouragement, enthusiasm, and immense knowledge. His guidance helped me all the time of research and writing this thesis. My sincere thanks also go to doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. and colleagues from the Technical University of Darmstadt, for their help with data collection and valuable advice. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and the family of my boyfriend for all the kind words and endless support provided. TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Table of Contents List of Images 7 List of Tables 8 List of Terms and Acronyms 9 1 Introduction 11 2 Literature Review 14 3 Role of the Theory 17 4 Methods and Data 19 4.1 Method of Analysis ......................................................................................... 19 4.2 Data Collection and Coding ........................................................................ 19 4.3 Analysis ................................................................................................................ 21 5 Results 25 5.1 Actors .................................................................................................................... 25 5.2 Concepts .............................................................................................................. 27 5.3 Discursive Coalitions ..................................................................................... 30 6 Discussion 35 7 Conclusion 38 Bibliography 39 Appendix A Codebook 45 Appendix B List of Actors and Organizations 55 Appendix C Networks’ Descriptive Statistics 62 Appendix D Types of Organizations 63 5 LIST OF IMAGES 7 List of Images Figure 1. Linear process of qualitative research 20 Figure 2. Prevailing organizations’ types 25 Figure 3. Claims’ categories 28 Figure 4. Normalized subtract actors’ network projection with color- indicated clusters 31 Figure 5. Cluster 1 with concepts shown 32 Figure 6. Cluster 2 with concepts shown 32 Figure 7. Cluster 3 with concepts shown 33 Figure 8. Cluster 4 with concepts shown 33 7 8 LIST OF TABLES List of Tables Table 1. The top 10 nodes with the highest degree centralities counted for normalized one-mode projections 27 Table 2. Top 10 concepts with the highest degree centralities calculated on normalized the two-mode network 30 8 LIST OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS 9 List of Terms and Acronyms CHP – combined heat and power DNA – discourse network analysis ESCO – energy service company EU – European Union FAZ – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung R&D – research and development RES – renewable enrgy sources SNA – social network analysis SZ – Süddeutsche Zeitung TSO – transmition system operator 9 INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction To meet the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement, deep decarbonization of the world energy system is needed [1]. Undoubtedly, the power sector plays a leading role in this regard. However, to address emissions, transformation must go well beyond that, which in turn emphasizes the need to promote both electrification and energy efficiency and low-carbon liquids and gases [2]. Besides, the challenges of renewable energy sources, such as the need for higher flexibility and storage options, should be addressed given their increasing share in the energy mix [3]. In this context, hydrogen is often referred to as a promising component of the low-carbon system that can harmoniously integrate and eliminate existing constraints such as grid instability due to the rising number of intermittent renewable energy sources [4]. Thus, hydrogen technologies are intended to allow easier renewable energy transportation and storage, decarbonization of industrial processes, aviation, shipping [5–9]. It is therefore expected to give the opportunity to proceed with the sustain- able transformation of the economy while preserving industrial poten- tial and jobs, contributing to continued economic growth [10]. Simulta- neously, there are many configurations of hydrogen technologies, differ- ing in their characteristics, infrastructure and actors involved. For in- stance, hydrogen can be used as energy storage for renewable energy sources created by electrolysis and later used for power generation (power-to-power systems) [11]. In addition, it can also be the basis for the creation of synthetic hydrocarbons (power-to-gas, power-to-liquid systems) designed to replace or at least green their equivalents in transport, industry, and heating. Moreover, the use of fuel cells as combined heat and power (CHP) generators for various scales and applica- tions (e.g., residential, commercial, and industrial) have been proposed [12]. The choice of a specific hydrogen integration strategy is an im- portant management task [13]. The absence of one size fits all solution, as well as the relatively high cost of current technologies due to missing economy of scale effects, creates a situation of uncertainty [14,15]. There have already been moments of increased interest in hydrogen in the past, but it has not become widespread. However, today’ s technology development, rapid decline in the costs of RES, and the need for drastic 11 INTRODUCTION emissions reduction open up new opportunities [16]. Rapid hydrogen technology development, on the one hand, increases the chances for ex- panding its use. On the other hand, it creates a space for a struggle over the future of hydrogen in the energy system. In fact, a situation arises of a struggle to determine the preference of some technologies over others. At the same time, different technological solutions require different types of policies. Thus, various actors competing in the process of creat- ing a hydrogen economy try to affect the policy in such a way that it is favorable to their interests. To promote the preferred technological solution, competing actors may generate and thereafter strategically use specific narratives [17]. Mass media, in turn, provide the platforms for policy debates and contested issues shaping [18]. Therefore, by publicly stating their position on a political matter, actors may try to influence its understanding, changing politicians’ minds and building support for their interests. Broader ac- ceptance of the stated vision may, in turn, lead to favorable policy outcomes[19]. Actors sharing similar ideas may align into coalitions to fur- ther “mutually reinforce and adopt each other’ s statements in a policy debate to appear more convincing and exercise greater power” [20]. Then, the number of coalitions, their size, composition, and interaction can not only reveal the supporters and opponents of a particular political initiative but also indicate the possible policy outcomes [21]. This research is a case study of Germany. The choice of a country is de- termined by its frontrunner position in the development and application of hydrogen technologies [22,23], which

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